The Aurora (Aurora Saga, Book 1) by Adrian Fulcher Page B

said. They tracked every last one of them down.
    I don’t know what to say, James thought. What would make them do such a thing?
    ‘INNER EVENT HORIZON DRIVES ONLINE.’
    Right, Kalrea said confidently. It looks like the hull is going to get an early test.
    What are you going to do?
    What do you think? I can’t let them escape!
    The inner drives of the Aurora started and the ship turned towards one of the Treitan ships.
    Each Treitan ship fired a small energy missile.
    ‘INCOMING!’
    James nervously followed one of the Treitan missiles howling through space. It stuck the Aurora’s hull, just before another, on the far side of the ship. There were two harsh thuds. The hull flexed inwards before returning to its original shape and rings of coloured light, like petals of a flower dispersed across its surface. That’s beautiful, James thought. Look at the colours.
    Kalrea targeted both ships.
    As the Aurora came to bear, the front multi-directional laser fired once. James saw a bright flash, and the scout ship was carved in two.
    What… what happened?
    Fragments showered the surrounding space.
    It’s gone!
    The other scout fired two mechanical missiles and turned away from the Aurora . It accelerated hard.
    ‘JAMMING!’
    The rear multi-directional laser fired; there was another burst of white light and the second scout ship was destroyed.
    That wasn’t so hard , Kalrea said, showing no feeling for what she had just done.
    It may not have been for you. I’m not sure about what you just did. Was it necessary?
    We’d better not hang around. That cruiser will be here any minute, Kalrea said.
    Wait! We’re not leaving until we sort this out, James said, a little irritated.
    All right James, but they won’t think twice about destroying us. Remember what I just said. The Treitans killed every Koptinop. They are extinct, Kalrea said.
    It’s not right to kill anyone or anything!
    No, it’s not, Kalrea replied. But with the Treitans it’s kill or be killed. There is no other option. If you run they’ll track you down, then you have no choice.
    I’m not sure I can do this. James felt trapped and pressured by Kalrea.
    When you are put in a position where there is no option, then you will. We must move, Kalrea said, with urgency in her voice. They have to be very close now.
    I know and you’re probably right—
    I am right, James. Kalrea’s voice was very assertive . I’ve read all the data files from the scout ship, James. There’s nothing left on Qintaino.
    James was stunned. There must be!
    I wish I had more information, Kalrea said. The data files mention that Qintaino is no longer a threat; it sustains no life. The Treitans have control of the whole region. Look, we must go. We don’t have much time! I’ll tell you more once we are out of here.
    All right, Kalrea.
    Instantly, the Aurora accelerated.
    Time to light speed? James asked.
    Twelve seconds to jump, Kalrea replied.
    Suddenly, just off the port side of the ship, James glimpsed a flash of light, signalling a Treitan cruiser had dropped from light speed. It turned towards the Aurora and fired a spread of plasma missiles.
    ‘THREE INCOMING!’
    We’re entering light speed. James felt the ship shudder violently . One of those energy missiles just hit us, Kalrea! Is there any damage?
    Not a scratch, Kalrea answered back smugly. It’s a pity Ka Glia Plyane isn’t here to see it.
    Because of the Plyane hull, the Aurora no longer needed to twist and turn to avoid any space debris and was now able to hurtle smoothly through space at an incredible speed. The view of passing stars blurred together, creating an almost white tunnel around the ship.
    Are they following? James asked mentally.
    No, they lost us when we entered light speed.
    James exited the seatra, sighed and slumped in one of the console seats.
    ‘I feel totally drained of energy,’ he said.
    ‘You did a lot of work in there,’ Kalrea said over the ship’s address system. ‘Your mind is still