The Fleet
Page 12
“Well direct our fire to them.” Ryalk replied.
“They are too deep inside of our radius of fire, my lord.”
“Recall our fighters and have them...” Ryalk began to reply. His words screeching to a halt as the most powerful of human weapons slammed into the side of their mighty ship. Setting off an explosion very comparable to a massive sunset. Waves rippling throughout the area and causing extensive damage to that portion of the Viscion's ship.
“Report!” Ryalk demanded. Holding firmly to the podium style combat map station in front of him.
“They hit us directly with something, my lord. Structural damage on the starboard side is widespread. We are venting atmosphere.”
“Will we survive it?” Ryalk asked.
“We are still in the fight, sir, but I'm hearing mass-casualties on the starboard side, decks four through seventeen.”
Ryalk thought about that statement for a moment. Nearly a fourth of his entire crew killed, badly wounded or missing following the explosion.
He had certainly underestimated the humans and their ability to build war technology. His arrogance the cause of death for so many among his race. It angered him, though he would need to hold onto that anger. Fearing another misstep because of arrogance.
“Face our port side to them and instruct our cannons to begin firing at will.”
“Yes my lord.”
“Alamious,” Ryalk said. “Do not hold back.”
“As you wish, sir.”
The nuke strike had angered Ryalk to the point of no longer wanting the humans among the fleet as a food source. At least not the ones who fought against him this very moment. He wanted them dead. Painfully.
“They're coming around!”
“As expected,” Commander Regent replied. “Fire at will. Instruct our fighters to remain in flight and have them concentrate on the Viscion's starboard side. The planet's surface is their fallback point should they be hit. Have them fallback to our forward operating base.”
“Yes sir.”
The scene was one of storybook legend. Two galleons of the sea turning to line their cannons directly onto the other, though these galleons floated in an ocean of deep black lifelessness.
Each would have their chance to bring total annihilation to the other.
*
“What the hell?” Cambria asked, walking to the entrance of their cavern and looking to the sky above.
“What is it?” Johnny added.
“That's the cavalry.” Dalton replied with pride.
“Lots of explosions up there.” Cambria said.
“That's war dear,” Dalton said. “The price for freedom.”
They nearly hit the hard soil at the cave's entrance as a loud popping sound began to string off.
Choppers incoming and doing anything but easing their way down. After the first handful, enemy fire began to stream up from the surface. Large blue tunnels of light, presumably lasers, which serrated several of the choppers filled with hopeful marines. The alien fire returned by painful human lead zinging to the surface at alarming rates. Compliments of the chain guns mounted to the fleet's choppers.
“It's about to be on.” Dalton said.
“From the sounds of it, both sides are sparing no expense.” May'yok replied.
“Gear up. We got to get to it.” Dalton said.
“Bad idea.” Johnny said.
“I agree.” Cambria added.
“Ain't nobody taking votes,” Dalton said. “This is combat. Our only goal is to get down there and help any fleet marines we can. Period.”
“Dalton, it sounds like the end of the world down there,” Cambria pleaded. “You can't seriously think that our going down there could be anything other than bad?”
“It doesn't matter what I think. It's what soldiers do. They fight. I have to get down there and protect my brothers in arms because that's the code.” Dalton said.
His comments met with universal agreement by the husk.
They had long been proud warriors. Knowing nothing but the code of gallant.
“I'm not a soldier,” Johnny said. “And if you care anything about Cambria, you'd want her to stay put. Out of harm's way.” he added in a questioning manner.
“Leave her here with you, right?” Dalton asked.
“What?” Cambria asked.
“He's been giving you the sweet eye since we landed. Now tell me I'm wrong, Johnny boy?” Dalton asked.
“Nope,” Johnny replied. “You're not. I've always loved Cambria. She can change the uniform she wears or the man that's hanging off of her arm. But that won't change how I feel about her. Nothing will. I care enough about her to not want her to go down there into that shit storm of bullets.”
Johnny's words sank into Cambria's deepest of thoughts. Having no idea her ex-lover still cared for her in such a way. Complicating her own heart a bit at the worst of times.
“I'm about to tell you something boy, so listen up and listen close,” Dalton said. Continuing to pack additional ammunition as he did so. “Having the fastest revolver hand doesn't mean a damn thing when you're scared of getting your hands dirty.”
“Scared?” Johnny asked.
“That's right, I said scared,” Dalton replied. “Killing a few men in the streets gun to gun is one thing. I've killed too. Each of them deserved it and it was done to protect the lives of those fighting around me, so we could protect the lives of chickenshits like you,” Dalton added. “Now I'm sure you got some wise-lipped response, but you can just keep it. Wise lips don't win freedom, it's men like me and guns like this.” Dalton said, grabbing the under pump of his shotgun and readying it with a single motion.
For a moment, the entire group drew quiet. Explosions and gunfire in the near horizon like audio wildfire.
“So you keep your ass up here and live in a cave if you want to. It's your life to waste. I plan on marching my ass on down there and getting into the fight. Any man that wants to stay here, do it. Fine by me. When the shit's over, I'll pull back off of this shitting rock and leave your asses high and dry,” Dalton said. “And Cambria, the same goes for you. I love you. You know I do. But living in the past and the present isn't happening with me. I see you deep in thought, so, if you want to be with me, be with me. If not, the best of luck to the both of you. Now if you'll excuse me, perfectly good soldiers are dying down there.”
With that, Dalton began walking down a steep incline which would eventually take him to the fight.
Meanwhile, Cambria remained stunned. Trying to search her soul and doing so as quickly as possible. Her love for Dalton was undeniable – her feelings for Johnny still there. Cambria was torn between both men, knowing only one thing. She needed to make a decision, and fast.
Dalton James waited for no one.
About the Author
John M. Davis currently lives in Southwest, Virginia with his beautiful wife and two spoiled children. As a huge advocate for Minimalism, John will regularly drop off of the grid for weeks at a time. Normally making up for lost time by tweeting too much(@johndavisbooks). He has authored the Gunship series, The Fleet, the Guardian Angel series and is currently working on a handful of projects that include Zombies, the lost city of Atlantis and an exotic dancer who sees paranormal spirits. www.authorjohndavis.com
Table of Contents
:
*Water*
Chapter 1:
*The Viscion*
Chapter 2:
*Back to Buisness*
Chapter 4:
*The Blood War*
About the Author
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