Battle Beyond Earth: Resurrection by Nick S. Thomas Read Free Book Online Page A

for Kepler-186. It was another Monarch class and was hard to tell apart from the Bulwark, a class of vessels that had always felt like dreadnoughts to Jones until he went to battle in one. The Captain turned to welcome him. She was in her early forties and matched his height. She had light blond hair and a pale complexion, so much so that she appeared Scandinavian, but then she opened her mouth.
    "Welcome aboard the Guam, Lieutenant. I am Commander Cohen."
    Jones was surprised to hear her speak with a thick South American accent.
    "Good to see you're along for the ride."
    Jones turned to see Santos off to his side.
    "You're not the only one who got patched up," he added.
    Jones was glad to see a familiar face, and the Captain reached out his hand in friendship. As he took it, Santos pulled him in close to whisper into his ear.
    "I'm not in any doubt as to how we got out of there alive and who pulled it off. I'll not forget it."
    Jones nodded in appreciation as Cohen continued.
    "As combat leaders with firsthand experience, you are here not just as advisors. Lieutenant, none of us knew what you might find out at Kepler. Most thought you'd find nothing at all, but we were wrong. You weren't prepared for a fight the first time around. That will not be allowed to happen a second time."
    She stepped aside and pointed to the screen projected beside her, and Jones looked out to marvel at the fleet, fifteen Human ships, including two more Monarch class vessels. Five Krys vessels, two of which dwarfed their capitol ships, a single Aranui vessel, and three Cholan.
    "Impressive," replied Jones.
    But he didn't believe the words he was saying. Before his experience in Kepler, he would have thought their fleet was enough to overcome anything, but now he was not so sure.
    "Lieutenant, I am giving you command of Charlie Company. Now this may sound very irregular, but you have to remember that our Marine officers have training for this, but they have not seen action. You proved your worth aboard the Bulwark, and I'd like you to do the same for us."
    "Yes, Sir."
    "The fleet is assembled, Commander. We are all squared away and ready to jump," said the XO.
    "Thank you, Captain Nichols."
    Jones looked around at all the crew aboard the bridge. They were mostly fresh faced and not long out of the Academy, just like he was. But unlike him, they appeared ignorant of the danger they were about to face.
    "Open a channel to the fleet."
    The XO nodded to confirm she was live.
    "This is the Commander speaking. We are about to begin our journey to Kepler-186, a system that was previously thought to be uninhabited. The Bulwark found that to be untrue and paid a heavy price. We shall not make that mistake. We have assembled the greatest fleet seen in my lifetime. We are prepared. We know the dangers we face, and we have the resources and ability to deal with whatever and whoever may be out there. Whatever it was that struck the Bulwark, we do not know its origins or full strength. If we have to fight, then we'll sure put up a good one. But if this can be resolved peacefully, it will be. Nobody fires on a ship, nobody opens gun ports, or threatens anything we might find there, without my express permission. Let's not pick a fight, but be ready to end one if that time comes. That'll be all, prepare to jump. Cohen out."
    The gateway was now active, and the fleet soared forward.
    "You look scared," Cohen said to Jones.
    "Yes, and you would be, too, if you had seen what we saw," Santos replied for him.
    "Whatever is out there, you don't have to fear it any longer. We go in right this time," she replied.
    Jones was still not convinced.
    They passed into the gateway, and Jones could feel his stomach churn as he thought of the prospect of seeing the vast alien vessel once again. There was none of the excitement he felt the first time. He was asking himself why he was crazy enough to volunteer, but it was too late now. They passed through the gateway into the light of