The Ashes of Worlds - Kevin J. Anderson [114]
Two more swarmships shaped themselves into similar weapons, but before they could fire, the EDF ships whipped about in evasive maneuvers. Their captains didn’t need specific orders to scramble. The huge energy blasts struck out repeatedly, at last destroying a second cruiser. The third Manta managed to evade, but Lanyan knew it was only a matter of time.
Below, an endless stream of component ships continued to launch from the burning hive cluster. With all the damage the Juggernaut and Mantas had already inflicted, he couldn’t understand how he suddenly found himself facing a hopeless defensive battle, when he’d been in the midst of a headlong punitive attack only moments before. He was supposed to arrive in great force, lay waste to the hive, then depart.
Considering how many alien vessels were all around them, along with the four swarmships closing in, Lanyan couldn’t even see a clear path to retreat. His ships were trapped here. Emergency alarms made a deafening clamor on the bridge. The Thunder Child no longer seemed so powerful.
Those waves of component ships fundamentally altered the tactical scenario. He had to change his approach, and fast. “Launch all Remoras for one-on-one dogfights. It’s the only way to deal with so many targets.”
With commendable speed, thousands of Remora attack ships streaked out from the five remaining Mantas and began to engage the Klikiss component vessels in individual battles. His pilots were good, their weapons training extensive, and they did a lot of damage . . . but Lanyan was sickened to count the tremendous number of casualties they suffered.
Suddenly, one of the huge swarmships received a furious blast from the rear, struck by a barrage of unexpected firepower. It broke apart into a disconnected cloud of component ships. High-energy shots continued to pepper the disassociated wreckage, slicing the cluster into pieces.
“What the hell was that?”
Dozens more ships roared in from outside — a Juggernaut, several Mantas, and some odd vessels that he didn’t recognize.
“This is Fleet Admiral Willis calling,” a voice drawled. “General, it looks like you could use some help. What’s it gonna be, allies or enemies?”
Lanyan couldn’t believe what he was seeing. The new set of battleships opened fire on the Klikiss ships from above. Confederation battleships. The Juggernaut — Willis’s Jupiter, he saw — raked a swath of destruction through a second swarmship.
Speaking without authorization, Conrad Brindle responded on the open channel. “We’re sure glad to see you, Admiral! We appreciate your assistance.”
On a direct, coded channel, Lanyan scolded him not to open communications with the other ships.
A young man’s voice joined the conversation. “I kinda prefer fighting at your side, Dad. We should do it more often.”
A cheer went up on the bridge of the Thunder Child. Lanyan’s beleaguered Mantas responded with a surge of hope, lashing out at the Klikiss attackers with unexpected fury. The balance was still precarious, but maybe — just maybe — they could turn the tide against the Klikiss.
“About time you shot at the correct enemy instead of a made-up punching bag, General,” Willis said. “Any fool can see that we need to worry about these bugs, not a bunch of innocent traders and shipbuilders.”
Lanyan swallowed his pride and answered. “Any Klikiss you kill, Admiral, is one we don’t have to.” Not overwhelming enthusiasm, he supposed, but it was the best he could manage. He had vowed never to trust Willis again after the way she had completely humiliated him . . . more than once.
As a remarkable idea began to take shape in his mind, he transmitted to Conrad Brindle on the private, coded channel, “String the traitors along and let them take the brunt of enemy fire. Maybe we can kill two birds with one projectile.”
* * *
80
Deputy Chairman Eldred Cain
The Chairman looked much too