Galactic Empire Wars: Rebellion (The Galactic Empire Wars Book 3) by Raymond L. Weil Page B

to draw their resources from, whereas we will only have a
few worlds.”
    “Unless we can
sow discontent on more of the Kleese controlled planets,” Wade pointed out. He
had spoken in considerable length with General Mitchell about launching more clandestine
attacks in an attempt to tie down some of the Kleese warfleet.
    “What concerns
me is what the Kleese and the Zaltule are up to now,” Marken said his eyes
showing worry. “They may start moving against some of the nonaligned worlds any
day now, particularly those closer to the central part of their Empire.”
    Wade nodded;
he knew they needed to get the mission launched as soon as possible. He was
afraid they were rapidly running out of time.
    -
    Harmock winced
as his flagship, the Warrior’s Fire, was bracketed by multiple antimatter
missiles. The ship’s energy screen was showing stress as it glowed brightly
under the mounting attack. Harmock stood upon the Command Pedestal of his
flagship, gazing with rapt attention at the numerous viewscreens and tactical displays
showing the fighting around the Warrior’s Fire. He'd brought two hundred
Zaltule warships to the Talt system to pacify the nonaligned world and bring it
permanently into the grasp of the Empire. The Talts were a humanoid species
with large yellow eyes and a very dark complexion.
    His fleet had
been met by sixty smaller warships, all with incredible weaponry. Twelve of his
warships lay in ruin, split apart by some type of massive plasma round that
smashed through a ship’s energy screen and caused tremendous damage to the
interior. Fortunately, the weapon took time to recharge or his fleet would have
suffered far heavier losses.
    “Firing
primary pulse fusion beams,” Minor Overlord Gareth reported as the Warrior’s
Fire unleashed twenty powerful fusion beams upon the nearest Talt ship.
    The Talt ships
were four hundred meters long and spindle-shaped. Their maneuvering ability was
remarkable, making them even more difficult to hit. A pulse fusion beam needed
a few seconds on target to inflict appreciable damage. The beams on a Zaltule
warship were powered by dual fusion reactors and could project a massive amount
of energy.
    The Talt ship
darted out of the way after only suffering a microsecond's worth of fire from
the deadly beams. It spun around and a fiery red plasma bolt darted toward the
Warrior’s Fire. It struck the energy shield, clung to it, and then burned
through, striking the ship’s heavy armor and penetrating into the interior of
the ship, setting off several large explosions.
    Harmock felt
his flagship shake violently and warning alarms began sounding. He cursed
silently to himself, knowing his flagship had been seriously damaged.
    “Secondary Engineering
has been destroyed,” Gareth reported nearly stumbling off the Command Pedestal as
the ship shook violently. His six legs managed to keep him upright as he
continued to study the data coming in on the damage done to the ship. “Fusion
cannons seven, nine, and twelve have been destroyed. Energy beam turrets
twenty, twenty-one, and thirty are no longer responding. We are streaming
atmosphere and I’m locking down the damaged areas of the ship.”
    “I want our
ships to attack in groups of four,” Harmock ordered, infuriated that a lesser
race would dare to damage his flagship. “Switch to sublight antimatter missiles
and use volley fire upon these vermin. We’ll see if their ships can dodge a
hundred missiles coming toward them at sublight speeds.”
    The orders
were quickly passed and the remaining Zaltule ships formed up into their
designated groups. Once assembled, they began advancing toward the waiting
enemy.
    -
    The Talt
reformed their fleet and waited to see what the Kleese would do next. The Talt
commander had hoped that if enough Zaltule ships were destroyed in the early
part of the engagement the Kleese would decide to honor the neutrality
agreement. Now the Talt commander was beginning to have his doubts.