“Goddammit,” the XO bit out.
The front legs of the larger Kantos ship in front of them started to glow orange.
“They’re going to fire,” Eve said.
The captain straightened. “Evasive maneuvers.”
His crew raced to obey the orders, the Polaris veering suddenly to the right.
“The swarm ships will be on their way back.” Eve knew the Kantos loved to swarm like locusts.
“Release the tridents,” the captain said.
Good. Eve watched the small, triple-pronged space mines rain out the side of the ship. They’d be a dangerous minefield for the Kantos swarm.
The main Kantos ship swung around.
“They’re locking weapons,” someone shouted.
Eve fought the need to shout out orders and offer the captain advice. Last time she’d done that, she’d ended up in shackles.
The blast hit the Polaris, the shields lighting up from the impact. The ship shuddered.
“Shields holding, but depleting,” another crew member called out.
“Sub-Captain Traynor?” The captain’s dark gaze met hers.
Something loosened in her chest. “It’s a raider-class cruiser, Captain. You’re smaller and more maneuverable. You need to circle around it, spray it with laser fire. Its weak spots are on the sides. Sustained laser fire will eventually tear it open. You also need to avoid the legs.”
“Fly circles around it?” a young man at a console said. “That’s crazy.”
Eve eyed the lead pilot. “You up for this?”
The man swallowed. “I don’t think I can…”
“Sure you can, if you want us to survive this.”
“Walker, do it,” the captain barked.
The pilot pulled in a breath and the Polaris surged forward. They rounded the Kantos ship. Up close, the bronze-brown hull looked just like the carapace of an insect. One of the legs swung up, but Walker had quick reflexes.
“Fire,” Eve said.
The weapons officer started firing. Laser fire hit the Kantos ship in a pretty row of orange.
“Keep going,” Eve urged.
They circled the ship, firing non-stop.
Eve crossed her arms over her chest. Everything in her was still, but alive, filled with energy. She’d always known she was born to stand on the bridge of a starship.
“More,” she urged. “Keep firing.”
“Swarm ships incoming,” a crew member yelled.
“Hold,” Eve said calmly. “Trust the mines.” She eyed the perspiring weapons officer. “What’s your name, Lieutenant?”
“Law, ma’am. Lieutenant Miriam Law.”
“You’re doing fine, Law. Ignore the swarm ships and keep firing on the cruiser.”
The swarm ships rushed closer, then hit the field of mines. Eve saw the explosions, like brightly colored pops of fireworks.
The lasers kept cutting into the hull of the larger Kantos ship. She watched the ship’s engines fire. They were going to try and make a run for it.
“Bring us around, Walker. Fire everything you have, Law.”
They swung around to face the side of the Kantos ship straight on. The laser ripped into the hull.
There was a blinding flash of light, and startled exclamations filled the bridge. She squinted until the light faded away.
On the screen, the Kantos ship broke up into pieces.
Captain Chen released a breath. “Thank you, Sub-Captain.”
Eve inclined her head. She glanced at the silent crew. “Good flying, Walker. And excellent shooting, Law.”
But she looked back at the screen, at the debris hanging in space and the last of the swarm ships retreating.
They’d keep coming. No matter what. It was ingrained in the Kantos to destroy.
They had to be stopped.
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