Warfare: Rise Of Mankind Book 2 by John Walker Page B

This will be our first chance to see how the rest of this war’s gonna go.”
                  “Don’t get cocky,” Mick said. “This is a whole new game out here.”
                  “We’ll see.” Hale grinned at them. “See you out there.”
                  “Yeah, just stay out of our way with your slow boats,” Meagan shouted back. “Let’s make this happen.”
                  The other members of Panther wing, her squadron, boarded their ships and began hastily running through preflight check lists. Meagan brought them up on coms. “I’m not going to waste your time with a long winded speech, guys. This is the real deal, bigger than before. We’ve got six caps out there and God knows how many fighters.
                  “Remember to keep your IFFs hot and pulsing because there are friendlies that don’t know who the hell we are. I don’t want anyone getting shot down over a misunderstanding. Lieutenant Tullefson, welcome to the unit. I wish you would’ve had a little more time to acclimate to the team but I guess nothing beats a crucible.
                  “Let’s get out there and take down some bad guys.”
                  Meagan’s ship throttled up and as the inertial dampeners kicked in, she felt the cockpit pressurize. The tower cleared for launch in ten seconds, just after the Behemoth’s first broadside to one of the enemy ships. She felt her heart race with adrenalized anticipation and counted down the seconds impatiently in her head…
     
    ***
     
                  Gray watched as Redding laid full into one of the enemy vessels, pounding them with pulse cannon fire. Their shields flickered and visible damage across their hull registered. Olly called out, “direct hit!” then began his assessment of what that meant to the enemy. Regardless of how hurt they were, it sure got their attention.
                  “They won’t ignore us now,” Gray said, turning to his tablet. The Crystal Font moved in on a different target and a flurry of strange looking pulse beams lit up the sky. They appeared jagged, with purple flickers all along the blue lines. He wished Clea had been present to explain what he was looking at.
                  They also tore into their enemy though the damage appeared just as minimal as their own. “Olly, coordinate with the Crystal Font and ensure we both use the Protocol Seven to the fullest. I want to finish these guys quick.”
                  “I’m working with their tech officer now,” Olly replied. “We’ve got it installed and ready. They report all settings nominal. Our broadsides should be ready for the next round in just a second.”
                  “All fighters are away,” Adam announced. “Bombers too.”
                  “Keep them away from our target,” Gray replied. “Get them out there to cover the other alliance ships and when Clea’s team is ready, they’ll need an escort.”
                  “Aye, sir.” Adam conveyed the orders to Revente.
                  “Pulse cannons are ready, sir,” Redding said.
                  “Excellent.” Gray took a deep breath. “Initiate the Protocol Seven, Olly.”
                  “Yes, sir.” He tapped away at the computer and nodded to Redding. “Frequency established. Fire away.”
                  “Gladly.” Redding hit the button and their vessel hummed for half a second as a barrage pounded the enemy vessel. Their shields were useless, just as before and as the attack penetrated their hull, large bubbled explosions riddled the surface. The enemy cracked in half, drifted then vaporized in a massive blue-red explosion.
                  The shockwave shook the Behemoth but it ended quickly.
                  “Well done,” Gray said. “How’s the