They were in this for profit, not to lose expensive ships. He would return to Marsten and come back with a much more powerful fleet. This planet was too rich to allow a single human fleet to keep them from it. The humans could have the planet back for now, but he would return with a far larger force and take it back. He would also have to contact the detainee and cargo ships that were in route and have them return to the Marsten System.
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“Destroyer Brant is down,” Lieutenant Brooks reported grimly as the friendly green icon representing the small destroyer vanished from the screen.
“We’ve taken out two more of their light units,” Captain Randson added as two red icons fell off the tactical screen. He began to breathe a little easier. At this rate, they would win the battle and then as soon as possible, he intended to take a shuttle down to Houston and evacuate his family. He knew others would be doing the same thing.
“Enemy ships are showing an energy spike,” Lieutenant Brooks informed them as one of her sensors indicated a rapid buildup of energy emissions. “They’re activating their hyperdrives.”
Kurt switched his gaze to one of the large viewscreens just in time to see one of the two remaining enemy battlecruisers jump away. On the tactical screen, other red threat icons were also vanishing.
“Their last heavy is too damaged to jump,” Brooks reported as the enemy ship turned toward them with its weapons firing. “They’re attacking!”
Kurt felt the Star Cross shudder slightly as an energy beam struck the ship’s energy screen.
“We’re being hit by some type of ion beam,” Lieutenant Brooks reported as she looked at the data on one of her sensor screens.
“The shield is holding at eighty-four percent,” Captain Randson said as he quickly checked the status of the ship’s energy shield.
“Particle beam is recharged,” Lieutenant Mays spoke as she targeted the alien battlecruiser. “Firing!”
The deep blue particle beam smashed into the enemy ship, flashing right through its weakened defensive energy screen. A huge hole was blasted into its bow and the ship seemed to lose all power. Two KEW rounds from the Star Crosses bow cannons plowed into the Glimmer Fire, traveling nearly its entire length, and then the ship detonated in a blaze of light as too many vital systems were destroyed.
“All enemy ships have either jumped out or have been destroyed,” reported Lieutenant Brooks, breathing a sigh of relief. “We have control of Earth orbital space.”
Kurt nodded, allowing himself to relax. The battle had gone better than expected. “Get me Captain Watkins. I’m going to have the Vindication check out the shipyard; they may need their Marines to secure it.” Kurt turned his attention back toward one of the viewscreens showing Earth.
“Now let’s see if we can contact someone down on the surface and find out just what in the hell is going on.”
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The Lost Fleet: Into the Darkness Page 31