Horizon Storms - Kevin J. Anderson [225]
He paced the Manta’s bridge. If the mission didn’t look completely successful, then he would redefine the objective so that he could honestly call it a victory. “All right, we can tolerate a few leaks. Let somebody get away to tell the other clans that we mean business. It’s my intention to put a full-blown fear of the Hansa into them. They’ll think twice before they defy us again.” He shook his head. “Proceed in full attack configuration.”
Ramirez cleared her throat. “They’ve probably spotted us already, Admiral, so let’s not give them a chance to pack any suitcases. I suggest we start transmitting standard warnings, before this gets out of hand.”
Flight sergeants barked out commands. Stromo nodded, happy to let Ramirez handle the details. This textbook assault would give the newer soldiers an excellent first taste of what the EDF was all about. They would see Stromo as their brave commander crushing the resistance of those who refused to aid the greater cause.
The heavily armed cruisers swooped in, following planned trajectories to surround and engulf the Roamer population center. Stromo had his clear orders; unlike at the operation at Hurricane Depot, he wasn’t supposed to waste time seizing leftover matériel or scrounging for information. This was to be a swift and decisive knockout punch.
Before the iron-hard fist of Mantas could close around the asteroid complex, a flurry of ragtag clan ships scattered in all directions. “As I suspected, Admiral—they’re getting away,” said Commander Ramirez.
“Well, then shoot at a couple of the smaller ones. Let them know we’re serious.”
The new commander paled, and some of the other bridge officers shifted uneasily. Ramirez said, “But Admiral, you haven’t even issued instructions yet. This isn’t really fair—”
Stromo glowered. “Chairman Wenceslas gave the Roamers a warning weeks ago, and Speaker Peroni threw it back in his face. They certainly can’t have any doubt as to why we’re so angry.”
Ramirez backed down, though she was decidedly uneasy. “All right, take a few potshots at some of the fleeing ships.”
Four of the jazer strikes hit their targets, but ten missed. If anything, the flood of escaping Roamer ships grew heavier. The Admiral decided he would insist that these crews undergo thorough practice runs—unless they were being less than competent on purpose. Did they have some lingering loyalty to their former Roamer commander? Perhaps Tamblyn’s presence was more insidious than the EDF had thought…
With a sigh, Stromo stepped up behind the captain’s chair. “Give me the open-channel command frequency.” He adjusted his uniform, smoothed his hair, and fixed a no-nonsense expression on his face. Ramirez moved out of the projection zone.
“Ready to go, Admiral.”
“This is Grid Zero Commander Admiral Lev Stromo, issuing an ultimatum to all Roamer personnel at Rendezvous. The Earth Defense Forces and the Terran Hanseatic League consider you hostiles. You have been declared a rogue government whose actions pose a clear and present danger to the human race. Your asteroid complex is now under the jurisdiction of the EDF. Surrender immediately. Any ships attempting to escape will be met with lethal force.”
A shocking flurry of insults and curses flew back at him from dozens of different ships. Stromo coughed in embarrassed surprise. The Roamers must all know what had happened at Hurricane Depot. Seeing so many heavy cruisers coming for Rendezvous, how could they not surrender? He’d expected terrified pleas or meek submission, not rudeness and disrespect.
He worked his jaw, but forced himself to take the high road, to be the proud military commander. “Do not attempt to flee. Any ship defying this order will be destroyed. You have two hours to evacuate the Rendezvous facility and surrender to us. After that time, demolitions technicians will begin ultimate disassembly operations. Any Roamer casualties incurred will be strictly the result of your failure to follow precise instructions.”
Ramirez added her own postscript to the transmission. “The EDF guarantees that all