Countdown by John Walker (feel good fiction books txt) 📗

open and let’s get this done. All ships on this channel, charge the enemy position. Full speed ahead.”

“What about the Gold Empire?” Nina asked. “We’re going to leave before their forces arrive?”

“We can’t wait for them,” Noah replied. “Every moment we aren’t moving is time the enemy has to call for reinforcements, fortify their position, and fend us off. No, they’ll be here soon. We’ve given them the same tech we do for navigating through hyperspace. Believe me, they’ll make it.”

“Yeah? Will it be in time?” Nina shook her head. “I don’t want a repeat of that incident…”

“Look to the present, Commander,” Noah interrupted. “To the right now. We’ve got a serious force to contend with. Get ready to launch your fighters.” He paused, considering a tactic. “Mac, those satellites. I’m guessing they have more of a purpose than merely jamming scans, am I right?”

“They are armed, sir. And based on the amount of signals bouncing from the enemy ships and them as well as to the surface, I would say they are providing coordination for the enemy forces as well.”

Noah smirked. “There’s your target, Nina. We need to take those things out. How many are there?”

“Ten that are within range to assist the enemy,” Mac said. “They should be removed before attempting to drop the war dogs on the surface. If not, there’s a good chance of losing our deployment prior to them doing any good whatsoever.”

“You heard him, Nina.” Noah nudged her. “Put together an escort team. They can blast those satellites while ensuring the payload gets where it’s going. Don’t sugar coat what they’re doing. It’ll be hot and I promise the enemy’s going to send some serious fighters to mess with them. But they must take those things out.”

“Understood.” Nina turned away, tensing up as she reached out to the fighter squadrons.

Noah understood her posture. He figured she felt obliged to be with those pilots, that maybe she even abandoned them on the eve of the biggest fight of their lives. The first time he sent ground troops into battle, he felt the same way.

She’ll get over it. I think she’s got a future in this role once she does.

“We got numbers on those ships yet?” Noah asked.

“Forty vessels, sir,” Dorian replied. “Four battleship classes, twenty-five destroyers. Looks like reserves to me.”

“Yep. Let’s hope they don’t drill as hard as their military buddies. They only barely outnumber us, folks. This is doable.”

“If the Gold Empire ships arrive,” Nina said. “Then we’ll mostly be even.”

“Don’t forget,” Noah pointed out, “they’re protecting their home before ours. They have more of a vested interest in making this work the first time than we do. They’ll be here. Count on it.” You guys better not make me a fool here. This is your last chance to save some face with a lot of soldiers.

The fighting would start within minutes. Noah shoved doubts aside, concerns about their allies, and even thoughts of getting home. The only thing that mattered was the mission and how they conducted themselves. When the shooting started, the Confed fleet had to come out on top.

No other visualized outcome was allowed in his mind.

Chapter 11

Newly appointed wing commander Justin Stevens struggled with a wave of nausea as he launched from the Morrigan. He’d been temporarily in charge of operations several times in the past, mostly small runs that involved him and three other pilots. This was a completely different ballgame.

One with heavy consequences for failure.

Of all the times to get a promotion. Justin had been struggling with that notion since the moment Nina sat him down. He knew something was afoot before she even opened her mouth. There was a look in her eye, a way she carried herself. Her promotion hadn’t been announced yet and still he knew. I heard about Commander Shelley’s departure.

To be fair, she hadn’t asked for her two promotions either. That didn’t stop him from feeling some resentment. Logically, he knew she wasn’t dumping the assignment on him. Emotionally, it pissed him off. Command was well aware of the importance of that attack. Change of guard so late in the game jeopardized the mission.

I guess I could take this to mean they have absolute faith in me. That was a hard sell, one he had to find a way to accept.

Fortunately, he’d been allowed to bring about a promotion of his own. He elevated Katya Aurans to Captain, making her his second-in-command. The Morrigan was assigned to lead the way and that meant Justin wanted to ensure he had a familiar person at his side… someone he liked.

Call it a popularity contest, I guess.

Justin checked his scanner. Fighters from the various Confed ships formed up into a sizable armada, one far larger than he’d ever seen. Ninety percent of their engagements involved a smaller crew than the opposition, fewer vessels that maintained technical superiority. This… was unheard of.

I guess this is for real.

The grand total of their forces numbered one hundred sixteen fighters. The most he’d ever seen in an operation at the same time had been sixty. If they coordinated, they had enough firepower to take down a battleship. Of course, they’d be stepping all over each other throughout the engagement as well.

“Fighters ninety and up,” Justin said, “you’re on escort duty.” They had to get the shuttle full of war dogs to orbit. Once they started descending on the surface, that would be on them. However, before they could get close, the other pilots had to take out at least five of the ten satellites to open them a safe window.

“Katya,” Justin continued, “we’re taking the left side to open the window. Everyone else, you’re on target of opportunity. Primary targets are all marked but there will be opposition. Your task is to keep us clear of