Read Online The Biofab War by Stephen Ames Berry - Free Book Online Page A

Kiroda signaled. “Captain, we’re orbiting the third planet.”
    Groaning, he rolled over and pressed the commlink. “It’s called Terra. Put us in orbit over our guests’ point of origin and ask them to the bridge. I’ll be right there. And wake Lawrona up,” he added, rolling to his feet.
    “But sir, he just went to his cabin.”
    “He’s young, he’s thin—he doesn’t need much sleep.”
    “We’ll set you down with the landing party,” said Detrelna to the Terrans a few moments later. The bags under their eyes told of sleeplessness. In their boots, I’d be sleepless, too, he thought. “I’d appreciate your showing Subcommander Kiroda the site and acting as liaison when local authorities arrive.”
    “You anticipate detection?” asked John.
    The captain nodded. “ Implacable’s shielded, but the shuttle’s not. It will knife past your air defenses before an interceptor can launch. But its landing point will be quickly found.” He chuckled. “I’d like to be in your defense headquarters for the next few hours. Good luck. Kiroda, if you need—”
    He was interrupted by a cry of “Enemy contact!”
    “Report,” ordered Detrelna, whirling to face Lawrona.
    “Three vessels,” the first officer said, slender fingers playing over his console, eyes scanning the readout. “Just came out of hyperdrive almost where we did. At present course and speed, about five hours to contact.”
    “Identification?” asked the captain, sinking into the command chair.
    “Three heavy cruisers of the new Berserker class.”
    Detrelna ignored Kiroda’s astonished whistle.
    “They’ll have detected us,” said Lawrona, turning from the tacscan.
    “We can’t outfight three heavy cruisers, Captain,” Kiroda said, walking toward his station. He left four very worried Terrans standing by the door. “Shall we prepare for hyperspace?”
    “You run, Captain,” said John, grim-faced, “and you’ll leave four billion defenseless humans . . .”
    Detrelna jabbed a blunt finger at the angry Terran. “Don’t tell me my duty, sir!” he snapped. “I commanded Dauntless at Taqar—a relic against a Scotar flotilla. I lost two hundred fine people, but we bought time for an evacuation convoy. You are, however, correct,” he said, temper ebbing. “We can’t run. Not without knowing if those ancient, hypothetical defenses would protect you from a very real enemy. We stand.”
    “Captain, three heavy cruisers?” Lawrona said, quietly seconding Kiroda’s protest.
    “We will fight and we will win, gentlemen,” said Detrelna with unfelt confidence. He turned to the Terrans. “As for you, please stay with the landing force until our return. They’ll need your help even more now. I can’t spare many people. Kiroda.” He fixed the young officer with a piercing gaze. “If you are in imminent danger of being overrun by a Scotar assault force, destroy as much of that installation as you can. You’re authorized to arm these and any other Terrans at your discretion.”
    “Sir, the Non-Interference Directive?” said Kiroda.
    “Waived—tactical necessity. You’ll be staying here for now?” he asked, turning to McShane. Better, though still a bit pale, the professor sat at the flag station.
    He nodded. “I’d be of little use in a fight right at the moment.”
    Accompanying the landing party to the restored Hangar Deck, Bob warmly embraced Zahava and Greg as they boarded the stubby-winged shuttle.
    “You know what your chances are,” said John, lingering.
    Bob nodded. “About as good as yours if those Scotar cruisers get through. Besides”—he grinned—”I’ll go out astride the deck of a starship, battling alien hordes. Beats the hell out of cancer.”
    Minutes later as McShane followed his commando escort back to the bridge, the battle klaxon sounded.
    The small ship settled with a quiet whoosh atop Goose Hill. Fighting back waves of nausea, John managed to croak, “Do you always pilot like that,