Read Forge of War (Jack of Harts) for Free Online Page B

“Does anybody have any questions?”
    Jack looked around at the others again before sighing.  “Look, I’m certain there is a really good presentation in here,” he said with a wave towards the pad.  “How many gigawatts the main reactor can dish out and all that stuff.  But she’s just too big to be a proper fighter.  And I don’t care what he says, a Hellcat’ll turn circles around this thing.  It’s designed to kill anything smaller than a destroyer.  This thing is…just a big target.  How can this turkey fight a Hellcat, let alone a Shang fighter?”
    “Perhaps I can answer those questions,” a calm voice said from the fighter.
    Betty smiled and Jack narrowed his eyes at her.  She nodded towards the fighter.  Jack pursed his lips, not wanting to listen.  She lowered her chin and put both hands on her hips.  She was not going to take no for an answer.  He sighed and turned to the fighter.  “Yes?”
    “Do you come from the Showme State?” the fighter asked.
    “Paul Bunyan’s State actually,” Jack returned without missing a beat.
    “Ah.  Of course.  You are familiar with tall tales then.”
    Jack chuckled.  “I’ve heard a few in my time.”
    “Good.  I will not need to explain the concept then.”
    Jack smiled at the fighter’s amused tone.  “I think I get it.”
    “Then I assume you think my…press agent’s claims are such?”
    “I am not a press agent!” the doctor shouted in indignation.
    “Potato, potato,” the fighter said with a sigh.  “Your presentation works well on politicians, not so well on pilots.”
    Jack frowned at the interplay, still considering the fighter’s question.  Something about the fighter made him realize it was waiting for him again.  He smiled at it.  “Yes I do, but perhaps you can show me I’m wrong,” he said, laying the challenge out for the fighter.
    “Challenge excepted,” the fighter said with what sounded like a smile.  “Now if you will allow me to demonstrate, I will show you why I am far better than any mere Hellcat ,” the fighter finished with a verbal sneer.
    “You don’t like the Hellcats?”
    The fighter harrumphed.  “They are too full of themselves.  Stuck up jocks who think they are the best thing since the recycler.”
    “Pot?” Jack asked, his eyes shifting to rest on Betty.
    Betty smiled back at him.  “Kettle?”
    “OK.  Fine.  You got me,” the fighter said in annoyance.  “Maybe we’re just built to know we’re the best, but I’ve seen the Hellcats’ stats and I know I’m better than they are.
    Jack gave the fighter an appraising eye.  “You’re bigger than they are.  You won’t maneuver as good in a fight.”
    “I’ve got better maneuvering thrusters than they do.  And my main generator gives me better control over gravity than Hellcats have.  I make up for the bulk.”
    “Interesting.  So you think you can match them in combat?”
    “Mostly.  I have better deflection grids than they do, though in pure numbers they have some maneuvering advantages,” the fighter said, reluctance in its tone.  “I do make up for the bulk, but they have a lower starting point.  They will however never be as good as I am in anti-ship operations.  If all you ever want to do is fight other fighters, the Hellcats are great for you.  If you want to kill big ships, I’m the fighter for you.  Also, I can translate through the hyperspace barrier.  Fighters are real hard to see in hyper.  Do you like sneak attacks?”
    Jack gave the fighter an evil smile.  “I love ’em.”
    “Well then, imagine all the things you can do with a fighter that can fly through hyper and kill a warship when it arrives, without being detected through the barrier.”
    “I’m imagining.  I like what I’m imagining.  How ’bout you?” he asked, turning to Betty.
    “Me too,” she said with a smile aimed at the fighter.  “You do a good job selling yourself.”
    “ Somebody has to,” the fighter said