When the Stars Fade (The Gray Wars) by Adam Korenman Read Free Book Online

pressurized to the airlock before opening.
                  Jogging into the hangar, the pilots saw a frenzy of activity as crews on the ground raced to launch their fighters. Wolfpack was comprised solely of FS 115 Phoenix II superiority fighters, a single winged craft that dominated the sk y— at least until the Phoenix III had launched fifteen years back and rendere d“ the Deuc e” obsolete. Now the craft was a hand-me-down from big brother Fleet. The cool gray metal glistened in the harsh lighting, and the fighters on the rails shimmered as they grew near the purple barrier that separated the building from the elements outside. Cameron and George quickly spotted Captain Newman, the SP commander for Yorktown Air. Standing a head taller than anyone around him, Newman barked orders into radios and urged crews to work faster. An aide stood nearby, shouting into a phone. Even with the roaring engines of launching fighters, it was the loudest corner of the room.
                  “Captain ,” the aide said .“ Normandy has two squadrons aboard, but Stalingrad went up without an escort. They were shadowing while the new commander got his sea legs. They have plenty of anti-air, but the y’ re not adding much to the fight . ”
                  “Where does Gilroy want us ? ”
                  The aide searched around a nearby table until he managed to find his dusty tablet. He tapped the screen, bringing up a holographic map of lunar space .“ Sector is in a scouting position here and here, near the Alpha contacts. I’ m still being told to wait for our flight order . ”
                  Newman nodded, taking the information cooly. Fleet problems were now his problems, and his peaceful drill weekend was looking long gone. Newman noticed George and Cameron standing a few paces away and waved them over. He returned their confused salutes and put them at ease. Rubbing at his bloodshot eyes, Newman silently prayed for a cup of coffee. Like everyone else, h e’ d been asleep an hour before.
                  “Lieutenant, you two are the last in the hole. Wolfpack is at half strength today, so yo u’ re taking over the Squadron as Wolf One . ”
                  Cameron coughed .“ Sir? What happened to Lieutenant Rico ? ”
                  “Down with a bad bug. And another six are in the drunk tank with the MPs. I ca n’ t fly them, even with this shit storm. Yo u’ ll do . ”
                  “Roger, sir . ”
                  George looked around, taking in the reality of the situation. On the table were screens showing the two unknown formations. The images were close to show the strange designs of the ships in clear detail .“ Captain, have they said what w e’ re up against ? ”
                  The field officer shook his head .“ I t’ s not Mars, or at least tha t’ s what the y’ re saying. Could be that splinter group out of Colorum. Be prepared for a fight. People do n’ t show up unannounced just to shoot the breeze. Once yo u’ re out there, rendezvous with the rest of SP and stand by . ”
                  Cameron took in the information, his mind flipping through scenarios. Even with the colonists of the red planet pacified, the Federate had no shortage of enemies in the outer sectors .“ Those do n’ t look like converted mining vessels, sir. Have they been converting old derelicts or something ? ”
                  Newman sighed, clenching his jaw and counting to ten .“ Lieutenant, I know about as much as you right now. What I do know is that these ships are in violation of the Vienna Pact and Sector is part of the mission. So shut up, get in your ship and get up there . ”
                  George interrupted, placing his palm on Camero n’ s chest .“ Wha t’ s the rally point ? ”
                  “ Savanna