Warfare: Rise Of Mankind Book 2 by John Walker Read Free Book Online Page B

4
     
                  “Commander Everly,” Redding spoke up. “We have reached the coordinates for the hyper jump. We’re beginning the countdown.”
                  “Very good.” Adam tapped his communicator and dialed in the captain. “We’re about to perform the hyper jump.”
                  “On my way.” Gray’s voice crackled on the speakers and faded out. He arrived a few moments later and took his seat. Clea sat beside him on the left, Adam on the right. “So…what should we expect? Two ships jumping at the same time…how do we avoid knocking into one another?”
                  “Our navigation consoles are synched,” Clea replied. “When the Crystal Font begins their countdown, our system will do the same. Much like the enemy’s approach during their first attack on your planet, we’ll appear in the new system together. I’ve checked the coordinates and we’ll be cutting it close, coming in near the research facility.”
                  “How close?” Adam asked. “Sounds dangerous.”
                  “Thirty minutes away at most,” Clea said. “Kielan navigation is tuned enough to make such a leap. The planet’s gravitational pull will mask our arrival. If the enemy has long range scans scouring the outer systems, they will not catch the anomaly of our arrival.”
                  “Nice…” Adam nodded. “But still sounds dangerous. If their calculations are off even a little bit, that thirty minutes turns into instant death as we appear in the planet.”
                  “Believe me,” Clea said, “our calculations will be fine.”
                  Olly piped in, “I’ve checked the math several times, sir. It looks perfect.”
                  “Ten seconds,” Redding announced. “Crystal Font reports all systems are nominal on their end. We are ready.”
                  “How long will this jump take?” Gray asked Clea. “Our little hop can’t be a good indication of time.”
                  “Time will have no meaning,” Clea explained. “Much like anesthesia, we will simply find ourselves at the destination.”
                  “Creepy,” Tim muttered.
                  “Stop it.” Redding took a deep breath. “Three seconds.”
                  Adam gripped his chair tightly. Here we go , he thought. This is the real test.
                  The lights flashed once. The engine whined, shaking the hull then, just as it seemed to reach a crescendo, it stopped. Lights burst over head, making Adam wince with the suddenness of their return. Tim coughed and Olly immediately started tapping away at his console, ever the constant worker.
                  “Report.” Gray’s voice seemed strained and choked. He rubbed his forehead. Adam tried to stand up but couldn’t find the strength. He remained in place, actively trying to recover.
                  “Coordinates are correct,” Olly said. “But…wait a moment…”
                  “Crystal Font is hailing,” Agatha announced. “Emergency frequency.”
                  “On speaker,” Adam said.
                  “Behemoth, this is the Crystal Font.” Adam wasn’t sure who was speaking…their communication officer perhaps? “Battle stations! I repeat, beat to quarters.”
                  “Get the view screen up,” Adam ordered. “What’s going on out there?”
                  The screen lit up, revealing pure chaos. Two other Alliance vessels battled six familiar, hostile silhouettes. Fire erupted from ships on both sides as each blasted away at one another. Gray stood, shouting as he did, “full shields, launch all fighters and fast power the pulse cannons! Get on it, people. Now!”
                  The crew went