The Slaver Wars: First Strike (The Slaver Wars Book Four) Read Online Free PDF

Admiral Tolsen to take a transit tube to reach
the center of the station, which was four kilometers distant from where the
WarHawk was docked.
    “Good to see
you, Race,” spoke Admiral Karla Johnson, rising to her feet.
    “Good to be
back, Admiral,” Tolsen replied as he saluted.
    “Have a seat,”
Johnson said, indicating a chair close to her.
    Tolsen took
the indicated seat, noticing there were ten other people sitting at the
conference table. They were all part of the admiral’s staff or scientists.
    “We have a lot
to discuss and some plans that need to be made,” Admiral Johnson said as she
sat back down. The admiral was 56-years-old and had been born on Earth.
    “There is some
disturbing data in Commander Thomas’s sensor readings,” Admiral Freeman
informed the group, looking over at Tolsen. Freeman was Admiral Johnson’s chief
of staff and in charge of all Federation shipyards. The man was efficient and
knew ship construction intimately.
    For the next
few hours, the group went over the Hocklyn incursion into the Gliese 667C
system. They went over the data recorded by the StarSearch and the effect their
weapons had on the Hocklyn escort cruisers.
    “I don’t like
how their energy shield managed to resist the StarSearch’s lasers,” Admiral
Freemen commented with a heavy frown, leaning back and gazing at the others.
“Those shields should have failed quicker than they did.”
    “It looks like
some type of possible upgrade,” Josh Sayth added as he studied the data, his
forehead creased in a frown. He was a scientist and well versed in Hocklyn
weaponry. “From what I am seeing from these scans, I would guess there has been
a twenty to thirty percent increase in the strength of the Hocklyn’s energy
shields.”
    “Why?” asked Fleet
Admiral Johnson not liking the news. “Why would they strengthen their shields
suddenly? They have gone centuries without any improvements in their weapons or
shields.”
    “It may be our
own fault,” suggested Admiral Arnold Bennett, leaning forward and looking
around the group. Bennett was in charge of the six shipyards orbiting New
Tellus. “Over the last sixty years, we have engaged and destroyed twenty-four Hocklyn
escort cruisers that have ventured close to our space. We have also sent
hundreds of stealth scouts into their empire keeping an eye on their advance
toward us. They may suspect something or someone is out here, and this may be
part of that response.”
    Admiral
Johnson tilted her head and spoke softly. “Let’s just hope their shields are
all that has changed. We can deal with that.”
    “We have another
problem you need to be made aware of,” Sayth commented with a deepening frown.
“I spoke to Doctor Reynolds at Ceres earlier today, and the cryosleep units are
starting to show signs of failure.”
    “They’re
failing?” Fleet Admiral Johnson spoke, her eyes focusing intently on Sayth.
“What do you mean they’re failing? I thought they were good for years yet. We
need those people!”
    “I don’t mean
the units are about to quit working, it’s the people in them. Their bodies are
starting to degrade.”
    “Admiral
Streth and the others?” Admiral Johnson asked with deep concern in her voice,
her eyes looking intently at the scientist. “Can they be saved?” She knew it
would be a deep morale blow to the Federation if Admiral Streth were to die.
Everyone knew he had gone to sleep to be awakened in the future to lead them to
victory over the Hocklyns.
    “Doctor
Reynolds is suggesting waking up all ninety-two people who are currently in
cryosleep within the next two weeks,” answered Sayth, recalling his brief
conversation with the cryosleep specialist. No one’s body has yet reached the
point of no return.”
    “It’s just as
well,” said Major Ackerman, entering the conversation and opening a thick folder
he had brought with him. He was from military intelligence and his department
was tasked with keeping track of the Hocklyn