Exodus: Empires at War: Book 7: Counter Strike by Doug Dandridge Page A

killing range of that monster , thought the Emperor. 
Because any supernova was deadly to the planetary systems around them, and a
monster even more so.  Everything fifty light years and out was at risk from
deadly particle radiation.  Fortunately, the closest inhabited system was about
eight light years away, giving the Empire over ten years to put up the particle
shielding the one habitable planet needed to keep its life in the state of
living.
    “OK, people.  Let’s get those hulls rolling.  I
want the Fenri to feel our wrath, then switch back in time to hit the Cacas.”
    “I hope we have enough to accomplish both
missions,” said Len, his eyes narrowing.  “If we get bogged down in the Fenri
Empire, we might have problems with disengagement.”
    “Then I want to minimize those problems, Len. 
That’s why you’re going to command that operation.  Anyone got a good name for
it?”
    “How about Surigoa ,” suggested Duke
Mgonda, referring to a naval battle in old Earth’s World War 2, in which the
United States defeated the Japanese last gasp in the Philippines in one of four
separate actions.
    Sean took a second to check his link to look
over the reference, then nodded his head.  “ Surigoa it is, your Grace. 
And I think we can commit some of our newest tech to hitting the bastards,
though we’ll still be light on wormholes.”  The problem being, as all present
knew, that they still couldn’t reliably move a wormhole equipped ship through
another wormhole.  Meaning that they still lost over sixty percent of the
unmanned test ships in trials, and no one wanted to suggest sending a manned
warship, even a destroyer, much less a battleship, through such a high risk
transit.
    “So we’re a go on Operation Surigoa,” said
Sean, looking at the nodding heads of all gathered.  “And Bagration as soon as
we have the window.  So now all we have to is finalize our dispositions for the
operation, and get them where they need to be.”  As if that will be easy ,
he thought with a smile.
    *    
*     *
     “It was a pleasure having you aboard, your
Grace,” said Rear Admiral Kelso, taking the Archduke’s hand in his own.
    His Grace Percival Marconi, leader of the
Opposition Party of Parliament, smiled.  “I wish I could say that it was
enjoyable, Admiral.  But it was most informative.  Especially seeing that young
man in action during the heat of battle.  I have a much better appreciation of
the hardships we face, and the potentials for success.”
    “Glad to hear it, your Grace,” said the
Admiral, returning the smile.
    And I’ve got some butt to kick in my own party
when I get home ,
thought Marconi, looking at the mirrored surface of the wormhole that would
take him to the Central Docks, the Donut still not a safe destination.  Especially
Countess Zhee, if she tries to pull some kind of power play.   Marconi was a
power to be reckoned with in the Lords, and he had many friends in all of the
triple houses of the Parliament.  At the moment he was feeling slightly ashamed
at his efforts to obstruct Sean, and Augustine before him.  But I acted in
good faith, he thought, looking at the wormhole, waiting for the green
light to proceed.  Good faith, and mistaken beliefs.  Now it’s up to me to
make amends for my actions, and swing the full support of the Lords to this
Emperor’s side.
    The light turned green, and the naval rating
who was the watchdog for transport waved him on.  The wormhole system could
absorb quite a bit of the difference in velocity of the sending and
transmitting stations.  Quite a bit didn’t mean anything above point two c. 
With missiles and particle beams that was fine.  The military wanted them to
come out at high velocity.  With people, not so much, as slamming into a wall
at point zero one c was still enough to completely pulp the body into a thin
aerial mist.
    “You just fight the war, Admiral,” said the
Archduke, turning before he walked