Read Online The Phoenix Reckoning (The Phoenix Conspiracy Series Book 6) by Richard Sanders - Free Book Online
Authors: Richard Sanders
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Calvin had his own garrison of Rosco soldiers, they would be professionals, and he shouldn’t have to worry about such an unfortunate incident. But right now, with the entire station on alert and every able man armed for a fight, Calvin knew there would be many of questionable repute filling in the Roscos’ ranks. Men and women who might love a chance potshot at a Polarian warrior.
“Radio in once you are at the hatch,” said Calvin.
“Copy that.”
“Docking operation complete,” said Sarah with a smile that was as subtle as it was proud. “The away team is cleared to board the station.” In total, the away team consisted of Nimoux and the four human soldiers under his command—all the human soldiers Calvin had left. Nimoux had been given strict orders to stay out of the fighting and always maintain a path of retreat to the station’s hangar, should the worst happen; Calvin hoped Nimoux’s men knew their job was to protect Nimoux foremost, and defend the station only as a secondary objective.
“Miles,” said Calvin. The big man swiveled his chair to face the center of the bridge.
“Yeah?”
“What’s the matter?” asked Calvin.
Miles looked confused. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you’re still here,” said Calvin.
Miles continued to appear baffled. His face scrunched comically as he tried to put the pieces together.
“You heard what Sarah said,” said Calvin. “The away team is clear to board the station.”
“What has that got to do with—”
“Gear up and get down there,” said Calvin, deadpan. “On the double, mister, go!”
Miles’s face went ghost white and a look of pure terror overtook him as he stared wide-eyed at Calvin. “You mean I have to…” his voice trailed off.
“Summers can handle the defense,” said Calvin. “I need a big strong man like you down on the ground kicking some Strigoi ass.”
Summers clamped a hand over her mouth, evidently to stop a laugh.
To his credit, Miles stood up, as if about to obey the order. Calvin nearly had to tell him it was a joke before the big man put it together.
“Oh, very funny, Cal,” said Miles, returning to his seat. “Summers at the defense post,” he snorted. “Yeah, maybe if you want to lose this battle…”
Summers’ mirth disappeared. “Enough chatter,” she barked.
At that moment Nimoux checked in. “We’re at the hatch all geared up and awaiting the go ahead.”
“You have the green light,” replied Calvin. “Just remember, my priority is your safety. The station’s defense is secondary.”
“Understood.”
“As soon as they confirm they’re aboard, Sarah, detach us from the station and seal the hatch. Then move us to a central position, between the station and the Roscos’ defense squadron.”
“Aye, aye.”
“And, Miles, when she moves the ship, activate the stealth system. I want us to take the enemy by surprise.”
“You got it.”
“Let me just go on record before all of this ridiculousness unfolds,” said Summers. “That I strongly counsel the CO against this course of action.”
“Duly noted, Summers, duly noted.”
CHAPTER 04
Once Nimoux and the others had fully descended the ramp, they were greeted by a sharply dressed man in a well-tailored suit. Around him were six bodyguards, each wearing similar attire, and each holding a .40 caliber submachine gun with a hundred-round drum magazine. The best dressed man, who was clearly the leader, had a .45 caliber stainless pistol holstered on his right hip, but he held no automatic weapon, only a half-burned cigar from which he took a few puffs before greeting them.
“So you’re Lafayette Nimoux,” said the leader; in briefing, Calvin had mentioned a Grady Rosco, Nimoux assumed this was him.
“Yes, that’s correct,” said Nimoux. Although the Rosco bodyguard company was certainly more comely than the fatigues, helmets, and armor that Nimoux and his men wore, he doubted the handmade suits would be very
“Radio in once you are at the hatch,” said Calvin.
“Copy that.”
“Docking operation complete,” said Sarah with a smile that was as subtle as it was proud. “The away team is cleared to board the station.” In total, the away team consisted of Nimoux and the four human soldiers under his command—all the human soldiers Calvin had left. Nimoux had been given strict orders to stay out of the fighting and always maintain a path of retreat to the station’s hangar, should the worst happen; Calvin hoped Nimoux’s men knew their job was to protect Nimoux foremost, and defend the station only as a secondary objective.
“Miles,” said Calvin. The big man swiveled his chair to face the center of the bridge.
“Yeah?”
“What’s the matter?” asked Calvin.
Miles looked confused. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you’re still here,” said Calvin.
Miles continued to appear baffled. His face scrunched comically as he tried to put the pieces together.
“You heard what Sarah said,” said Calvin. “The away team is clear to board the station.”
“What has that got to do with—”
“Gear up and get down there,” said Calvin, deadpan. “On the double, mister, go!”
Miles’s face went ghost white and a look of pure terror overtook him as he stared wide-eyed at Calvin. “You mean I have to…” his voice trailed off.
“Summers can handle the defense,” said Calvin. “I need a big strong man like you down on the ground kicking some Strigoi ass.”
Summers clamped a hand over her mouth, evidently to stop a laugh.
To his credit, Miles stood up, as if about to obey the order. Calvin nearly had to tell him it was a joke before the big man put it together.
“Oh, very funny, Cal,” said Miles, returning to his seat. “Summers at the defense post,” he snorted. “Yeah, maybe if you want to lose this battle…”
Summers’ mirth disappeared. “Enough chatter,” she barked.
At that moment Nimoux checked in. “We’re at the hatch all geared up and awaiting the go ahead.”
“You have the green light,” replied Calvin. “Just remember, my priority is your safety. The station’s defense is secondary.”
“Understood.”
“As soon as they confirm they’re aboard, Sarah, detach us from the station and seal the hatch. Then move us to a central position, between the station and the Roscos’ defense squadron.”
“Aye, aye.”
“And, Miles, when she moves the ship, activate the stealth system. I want us to take the enemy by surprise.”
“You got it.”
“Let me just go on record before all of this ridiculousness unfolds,” said Summers. “That I strongly counsel the CO against this course of action.”
“Duly noted, Summers, duly noted.”
CHAPTER 04
Once Nimoux and the others had fully descended the ramp, they were greeted by a sharply dressed man in a well-tailored suit. Around him were six bodyguards, each wearing similar attire, and each holding a .40 caliber submachine gun with a hundred-round drum magazine. The best dressed man, who was clearly the leader, had a .45 caliber stainless pistol holstered on his right hip, but he held no automatic weapon, only a half-burned cigar from which he took a few puffs before greeting them.
“So you’re Lafayette Nimoux,” said the leader; in briefing, Calvin had mentioned a Grady Rosco, Nimoux assumed this was him.
“Yes, that’s correct,” said Nimoux. Although the Rosco bodyguard company was certainly more comely than the fatigues, helmets, and armor that Nimoux and his men wore, he doubted the handmade suits would be very
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