The Slaver Wars: Galactic Conflict by Raymond L. Weil Read Free Book Online Page A

uniform without
insignia. Her dark black hair rested upon her shoulders and her face had that
youthful look of innocence.
    “They seek to
engage us this time,” Colonel Malen announced as she studied the tactical
display.
    “What’s their
fleet makeup?” Jeremy asked as he leaned forward and studied the display more
intently.
    Ariel studied
her sensors briefly and then reported. “Sixteen dreadnoughts, thirty-six warcruisers,
and one hundred and forty-four escort cruisers.”
    Jeremy drew in
a sharp breath. Fourth Fleet was composed of only two battlecruisers, four
battlecarriers, eight strikecruisers, eight Monarch cruisers, and eighteen
light cruisers. He would be outnumbered five to one in the upcoming battle. For
a moment, he wondered if he should call in Admiral Stillson’s fleet, which had
forty-eight more ships in it.
    “Whoever drew
up this attack plan is clever,” Colonel Malen commented with a deep frown as
she arched her eyebrows. “They attack away from the station’s heavy weapons,
forcing us to engage. If we call in Admiral Stillson, then the AIs can jump in
and attack the defense grid and possibly the planet.”
    “But we have
Devastator Threes, and a lot of them,” Jeremy replied as he studied the
tactical display. “I don’t think they realize just how many we have and we'll
use that to our advantage.”
    He had placed
Devastator Threes on all of his warships except the destroyers. From studying
the battle data between Fleet Admiral Streth and the Hocklyns above the fleet base,
he knew the Devastator Threes could be extremely dangerous to the Hocklyn
ships. The Hocklyns, of course, would have no idea of just how many of the
deadly weapons he had. They were about to find out.
    “Admiral
Streth didn’t have Devastator Threes on his light cruisers,” Colonel Malen
spoke with a wolfish grin. “The Hocklyns won’t be expecting them.”
    “Order all
ships to load only Devastator Threes in their missile tubes,” Jeremy ordered as
he prepared for the battle. “This will only work once. Lieutenant Striker, plot
an interception course for the Hocklyn fleet. Contact Commander Marks and have
her coordinate a bomber strike with the station. Make sure it has sufficient
fighters to protect them as they go in.”
    “What about
our shipboard fighters?”
    “Launch them,”
Jeremy ordered, his eyes showing fire. “They are to engage any Hocklyn fighters,
but stay away from their heavy warships. Leave those to us and the bombers. I
want to smash this attack! Perhaps it will gain us some time before the next.”
    -
    War Leader
Versith watched the tactical display closely to see if the Humans would come
out to engage the Hocklyn fleets. Without surprise, the fleet nearest the space
station moved out and began heading toward them on an interception course. It
also began launching fighters. The other fleet on the far side of the planet
remained unmoving.
    “One Human
fleet approaches,” spoke First Leader Trion, pointing toward the fleet on the
tactical screen. “Why does the other not join it? The single fleet does not
possess sufficient ships to be a serious threat to us. Honor will come quickly
in this battle, for it will not last long.”
    “Don’t
underestimate our enemy,” cautioned Versith, allowing his left hand to rest on
the breastplate of his battle armor. “These Humans are full of surprises.”
    “They only
have ten of the capital ships that have their heavier missiles,” Trion added as
he studied the makeup of the approaching Human fleet. “We will suffer losses
but our superior numbers will defeat them.”
    “Make sure
those ten ships are priority targets,” ordered Versith, feeling uneasy at the
way the Human ships were approaching. They seemed not to fear the Hocklyn’s
superior numbers. “Launch our war wings. They have two of their large ships
that carry the small bombers. I don’t want any of their small craft to make it
to our fleet.”
    Second Leader
Jaseth watched the