The Phoenix Reckoning (The Phoenix Conspiracy Series Book 6) Read Free Page B

interest.
     
    ***
     
    “Tell Viper Squadron to pull in tighter!” Kalila shouted. “We have to keep their escape blocked!”
    Sir Gregory relayed her commands to the fleet. The two of them stood over the tactical display on the Black Swan . Kalila’s flagship, along with many other capital ships, stood as a blockade against the Rotham fleet. Kalila had returned to command the battle, after transmitting her message naming Raidan an Enemy of the Empire, and had been pleased to find that her forces were holding firm and the plan seemed to be working.
    Only a few ships and squadrons seemed to be out of place, or otherwise struggling. In all, three squadrons had been lost, but the enemy had suffered far worse. When the Rotham had taken the bait and charged the local defenses of Thetican System, which had been augmented by some of Kalila’s ships, the rest of her fleet had swooped out from either side of the massive star at maximum speed. Together they pincer-attacked the—suddenly out of position—Rotham fleet and didn’t pull any punches. Even now, the Rotham ships were harassed on all sides, by attack pass after attack pass, as they fought to find purchase, some position to which they could hold as a fortified unit. But Kalila’s ships had anticipated this, and were making it as hard as possible for them.
    Without any option for retreat, the Rotham fleet had bit down harder on the local defenses, essentially obliterating them, but this only allowed Kalila’s forces to swing the hammer down upon them more forcefully from behind. In desperation, the Rotham ships had strafed from the combat, leaving their weakened starships to die, and now the battle had moved much closer to the Thetican star itself. No doubt the Rotham intended to use it as a hazard to maneuver around and allow their surviving ships to escape. Kalila intended to give them no such option.
    “Sir, the enemy has been reduced to fifty-percent strength,” reported Sir Gregory. “They continue to maneuver.”
    “Stay on them!” she commanded. “Order the blockade to move in; it’s time to finish this.”
    “Yes, Your Majesty.”
    “Captain Adiger,” said Kalila, looking up. The man stood in the center of the Black Swan’s bridge, commanding the mighty vessel against the few ships that had been stupid enough to tangle with it. “We shall lead the attack!”
    “Yes, Your Highness,” he called out, then gave his various orders to his station chiefs.
    Kalila looked at Sir Gregory. “You’re smiling, sir.”
    “Apologies, Your Majesty, it’s just, this will be a fine victory you are delivering this day.”
    Kalila nodded. “A much needed one, at the very least.”
    The capital ships from the blockade, led by the Black Swan , reached firing range of the core enemy fleet and began opening fire. Beam weapons and missiles could be seen on the display, tiny and numerous, almost beyond counting. Kalila watched as the Black Swan turned broadside and shredded three Rotham battleships that had sought to engage it. Their lights blinked off on the display.
    “Stay strong, everyone,” said Kalila. Sir Gregory relayed the message to the fleet.
    “They’re starting to get desperate,” observed Sir Gregory, as the Rotham formation seemed to split apart, some ships trying to rout.
    “Send word to each wing commander,” said Kalila. “Remind our fighters to prioritize shooting down enemy missiles first and enemy drone craft second. If they have any isotome missiles, we’re not going to let them use one.”
    Sir Gregory relayed the message, although Kalila knew the reminder was just that, a reminder. Her fighters had long been deployed with the special assignment of spotting and destroying any ordnance fired in the direction of the star. Thus far, none had been spotted, and she had more than enough fighter screens to be certain of it. It was enough to make her doubt that the enemy had even brought the isotome weapons with them. Most likely, the Rotham