The War Across the Stars Read Online Free PDF Page A

voice came over it.
    “This is the Comanche .  Neutron Bullet is fully charged and ready to fire.” 
    “Target the station,” Dixon ordered. 
    I watched in awe as a blue streak flew from the bow of a ship and slammed into the space station.  It was much faster than the rockets that were still being exchanged.
                  “Sir!”  the weapons officer called. 
    “We’ve exhausted over half of our Pyro Rockets.” 
    “All right… Give ‘em a round of Seismic Rockets,” Dixon told him. 
    “Right away sir.” 
    “Commander McNary…” Dixon said as he turned to the commander.  “Give me a status report.” 
    “Understood,” Commander McNary said while she put the data on-screen. 
    “Thirteen percent shields, sir.  We still have an amazing ninety-six percent hull integrity.  Warp and Ultra drives are up, and sub-light engines are fully operational.  As for fleet-wise, we’ve lost several ships,” she explained. 
    “Which ones?” Dixon requested. 
    “We’ve lost Voyager , Theta , Intrepid , and the Blackened Bruise .” 
    “Did Captain Braizer survive?  Anyone brave enough to name their ship the Blackened Bruise is respected in my fleet,” Dixon said.
    “So far we can't be sure, sir,” Commander McNary informed him. 
    “Understood Commander,” he uttered quietly.
                  “Hey!”  Philip said, pointing at a small Vorgian frigate.  “It’s headed right for us!” 
    “Oh no… I think you’re right!”  Ryan announced.  “Admiral!  We need to target that frigate over there.  I believe it is trying to ram us.” 
                  Dixon glanced down at the TRIAD display. 
                  “That does appear to be its intention,” Dixon said in an alarmed tone. 
    His usually expressionless face showed faint signs of worry.  I was terrified. 
    “If it hits our ship, will we take enough damage to blow up?”  I asked. 
    “Not even close…” Phil said knowingly.  “However it could easily destroy a portion around where it hits.  And possibly additional damage if the bulkheads aren’t sealed off around the impact area.” 
    “Let’s hope it doesn’t hit here…” Robert told us quietly. 
    “Agreed,” Nevin, Philip, and I said in unison.  Then, Ryan walked back over to us. 
    “He’s aiming all of our turrets on it.  We have to destroy it before it impacts us,” he informed us.
                  “Sir!  It’s closing on us.  Impact to engines in ten seconds,” McNary announced. 
    “Redirect all power to the engines!  NOW!” Admiral Dixon commanded. 
    “Powering engines, sir,” the nav officer said. 
    “Hurry,” Dixon ordered as he looked toward his navigation officer.
                  The Concordia began to crawl forward. 
                  “Engines at maximum,” McNary announced.  “Not fast enough, sir. Two seconds before—” 
    The ship shook and sparks shot out of some of the equipment.  There was a crunching sound, and then a massive explosion.   It caused the ship to shake again.  Nevin and I both fell to the floor.
                  “Sir…” Commander McNary began.  “Sub-light engines and warp drive are down.”
    As I stared out at the battle, the mushroom-bulb at the top of Fargo showed clear signs of extensive damage.  Large breaches in its hull began to appear as the surface fractured.
                  “This is our chance,” Dixon boomed, seemingly recovered from the impact already.  “Ready a Mark II Seismic Rocket.” 
    “Yes sir!” the weapons officer announced.
    The COM opened again with another transmission. 
    “Sir… this is the Appomattox .  We have lost all shields and hull integrity is low.  Permission to jump?” the captain explained. 
    “Permission granted Captain Rebik,” Dixon accepted.
                  I knew a ship was about to jump, so I looked around