The Lost Fleet: Genesis: A Slaver Wars Novel Read Free Page B

detected their entry into hyperspace, I gave the order for the
fleet to leave. I also sent messages to the Federation as well as Admiral
Tolsen apprising them of our situation.”
    Tureen shifted
his attention to the indicated tactical display, seeing what appeared to be a
number of Shari fleets inbound toward their former location. So it was actually
happening. He had hoped he was wrong and the Shari would not choose the path of
war.
    “How long until
we reach the Rylus Star Cluster?” Tureen also wondered when he would see home
again. Even if they reached the cluster, they might find themselves trapped
there for quite some time.
    “Six days,” answered
Commander Stockwell, stepping over closer to the two. “We’ll have to exit
hyperspace eighteen times before we reach the cluster and then several more
times in order to reach the Dyson Sphere. We’ll need to spend an hour each time
we dropout to allow the drive cores to cool properly. We’ll also have to check
the harmonics on the fleet’s hyperdrives periodically.”
    “That’s
assuming we don’t run into a Shari fleet,” said Tureen in a tired voice. He
felt as if he had failed. The Human Federation of Worlds and their allies,
which included the Altons, were once more going to war.
    “We’ll have
ample warning with our long-range sensors,” Admiral Baasil pointed out.
    “What will
happen once we reach the Dyson Sphere?”
    Admiral Baasil
stood up from his command chair and gazed around the Command Center. He knew a number of the crew was listening to the conversation. “Probably a battle,”
Baasil answered grimly. “It won’t take the Shari long to figure out where we’re
going.”
    “I just hope
the other relief fleet makes it there before we do,” Tureen commented. “Admiral
Tolsen’s going to need what that fleet has with it.”
    Admiral Baasil
nodded. The most valuable military asset in the known galaxy was the recently discovered
Dyson Sphere. Under no conditions could it be allowed to fall into Shari hands. The technology contained inside the sphere had the potential to make whoever
got to it first the dominate power in the galaxy. Of course there was still a
wild card in play. Admiral Baasil knew the Simulins were also hunting for the
Dyson Sphere and when they found it, all hell would break loose as the Humans
would say.

Chapter Two
     
    Admiral Race
Tolsen stared worriedly at one of the WarHawk’s tactical displays. The
number of Shari vessels now in the outer regions of the system was steadily
increasing every hour. It was obvious they were building up their forces for an
attack, one which could happen at any time.
    “How soon
before the relief and supply fleet arrive?” Race needed those supplies and
additional ships if he wanted to hold his position above the Dyson Sphere.
    “Two hours,”
answered Colonel Cowel as he checked some data on one of his computer screens.
“I just hope the Shari don’t detect them on their way in.”
    “What about
Admiral Baasil and the Alton fleet?” Race was deeply concerned about the Alton fleet as Ambassador Tureen was on board the Star Avenger .
    “Sixteen
hours,” Cowel said as he checked some additional data.
    “Any signs the
Shari can detect incoming fleets?”
    “No,”
responded Commander Madelyn Arnett as she turned to face the admiral. “All evidence
indicates their long-range sensors extend out only about twenty-five AU.”
    Race nodded. At
least that was some good news. “We’ll take the fleet to Condition One twenty
minutes before the arrival of the relief and supply fleet. If necessary, we may
have to move out from beneath the defensive grid to give the arriving ships
covering fire. I want all fighters, bombers, and the defense globes ready to
launch at a moment’s notice.”
    “We’ll be
ready,” promised Madelyn.
    “Do you
believe this will turn into an all out battle?” asked Cowel.
    “Maybe,” Race
answered as his eyes shifted to the colonel. “It depends on how