Scattered Suns by Kevin J. Anderson Read Free Book Online Page B

to broadcast a powerful signal heard across all forty-seven of the warliners. “Adar Zan’nh, I am ready to begin executing hostages—one at a time, every three minutes—until you surrender these ships to me.”
    Most Ildirans could not comprehend such abomination. Smiling to himself, Thor’h wondered how long his brother could hold out against the agony of innocent victims. He doubted Zan’nh, who idolized his mentor, the war hero Adar Kori’nh, would surrender as quickly as Rusa’h hoped.
    Thor’h thought of a way he could increase the stakes. His guards moved bloody bodies out of the way and manned the vital stations in the warliner’s command nucleus. “Power all of our weapons and prepare to fire. Targeting at my discretion.”
    On the main screen, he studied the other ships in the maniple, choosing his first target. All of the warliners’ weapons systems had been enhanced for direct combat against the hydrogues. The firepower would certainly be sufficient for what Thor’h had in mind.
    The good Adar would never open fire against Ildiran citizens—especially not when the majority of those aboard were unsuspecting Solar Navy crewmen. Zan’nh simply wouldn’t be able to stand the guilt.
    Prime Designate Thor’h had no such compunctions. He could focus on the larger goal and accept a certain level of sacrifice. Forty-six battleships would be sufficient for Imperator Rusa’h’s purposes. At least one of them was expendable.
    He prepared to open fire.
     
    Chapter 7—ADMIRAL LEV STROMO

    The EDF mopped up their operation around the Roamer greenhouse asteroid complex within twenty-four hours. Admiral Stromo settled into the Manta’s command chair. Gripping its arms, he shifted his weight and made a conscious effort to look as if he belonged there.
    “I’ll stay aboard and remain in command while you consolidate the operations down there,” he told Ramirez. “Lead teams into the domes and begin rounding up prisoners, just like we did at Hurricane Depot.”
    Elly Ramirez was all business now, dedicated to the task at hand; she had not complained about the operation once it started. “I recommend full body armor and defensive weaponry, in case the Roamers adopt guerrilla tactics.”
    Stromo nodded. That was exactly why he wanted to stay aboard the Manta until the captured territory was deemed safe. “So far they haven’t shown any propensity for violence, but they’ll be desperate. Like cornered rats.”
    Ramirez summoned her ground troops, all of whom had spent months training at the EDF base on Mars. Many recruits, unable to imagine personal combat against the hydrogues, had considered infantry drills a waste of time. Now, though, they would have a chance to put their training into practice.
    An EDF first-strike squad found an access dock on the side of the main dome. Under fire from the Manta cruiser, the greenhouse itself had been breached. Fading wisps of air and moisture circled the rock like morning mist, but for some reason not all the atmosphere had vented. Though external scans showed that the air was still breathable inside the dome, Ramirez ordered her troops to wear environment suits for extra protection. “The Roamers might consider blowing the seals, just to take us out. Better safe than sucking vacuum.”
    Stromo agreed. “Take every precaution to make sure none of our soldiers are harmed in the line of duty.” He didn’t want to have to explain casualties to General Lanyan. “Oh, and the Chairman has asked that we minimize Roamer casualties as well.”
    “Certainly, Admiral.” He got the impression that she considered him stupid for making such an obvious statement.
    Docking clamps anchored the lead Manta against the asteroid. A tunnel passage sealed polymer lips around the hatch, which a demolitions crew then blasted open. A vanguard of suited troops proceeded cautiously into the asteroid, holding stun-pulse rifles ready for an ambush. Behind them, the second and third wave of