by John Bowers
“Kristopher Krist!”
“Environ Traffic South!” Mios shouted over an open channel, “Askos Queen. We are detecting what looks like two intercept missiles rising from the surface on a convergent course! Please identify and advise!”
Mios’s tongue traced his lips rapidly as he stared at the glowing radar images on the holo. They were coming closer, and fast. West remained silent, a thousand thoughts cycling through his mind. Of all the things that could go wrong with this mission, this was one he hadn’t even considered.
“Captain, shall I take evasive action?” the pilot shouted.
“Stand by!” Mios ordered.
“Askos Queen, Environ South—I don’t know where the hell they came from, but they do look military in nature. Take evasive action! Repeat, evasive action! I’m trying to raise Environ Defense Net, but you better get out of there now!”
Mios didn’t take the time to respond. Instead he thumbed open another channel and spoke directly to Raven.
“Askos Raven, Askos Queen! Execute hyperspace now! Repeat, make your warp jump now! Execute!”
To the pilot: “Take evasive action! Sound the collision alarm!”
West grabbed an overhead bar and held on. In spite of all the talk about making a hyper jump, Queen’s warp drives were cold, because the plan had never included using them. Bringing them online would take several minutes longer than they had—the missiles were already clearing the atmosphere.
Askos Raven disappeared seconds later, simply vanishing from view as it leaped into hyperspace. Queen was now alone, above the atmosphere, and even though the pilot fired thrusters, everyone on the bridge knew it was too late. The missile that had been targeting Raven now changed course and headed directly for Queen.
But the other one got there first.
Table of Contents
Star Marine!
Prologue
Book One - The Solar System
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Book Two - Alpha Centauri
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Book Three – Periscope Harbor
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Epilogue
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