Read Star Carrier (Lost Colonies Trilogy Book 3) for Free Online

Those poor people will be freed from the raids of the Stroj forever. After that, we’ll head for the enemy strongholds and destroy them.”
    Far less confident than he was that such glorious things could be achieved, I nodded regardless. The brass had seen fit to risk everything on a single cast of the dice. To attack, rather than defend. Was it arrogance and hubris, or a wise stratagem? I wasn’t certain.
    “Will you be taking all seven battleships, sir?”
    “Absolutely. There will be a large number of smaller support ships in our wake as well—many of them newly built.”
    “What of Defiant ?”
    He stepped to my side and put an arm up to touch my shoulder. This act surprised me, as he rarely came so close to subordinates.
    Lowering his voice, he spoke to me as we gazed out the window at the ships gently floating at anchor around Araminta Station.
    “I have a special role for you, Sparhawk. A critical one. Possibly, it’s the most critical mission of all. You’re going to stay home and guard Earth.”
    I felt as if I’d been punched in the gut. With all the talk of glory and flying into the face of the enemy, I’d never seen this moment coming.
    Suddenly, many things fell into place. I’d been unaware of many plans. I’d been surprised by everything going on at Phobos. I’d even been kept at arm’s length by personnel all over the navy.
    Sure, I was a member of a Great House and accustomed to being ostracized for my political connections. Further, I’d managed to embarrass the brass at CENTCOM on multiple occasions. But in addition to those negatives, I was also the most experienced starship commander in living memory.
    “Admiral,” I began, “I’m not sure that would be the best utilization of my skills.”
    “Oh now, don’t start. I knew you’d be sorely disappointed. I would be too, if I were in your shoes. One after another, we’ve rolled out battleships. We’ve even produced our first carrier in more than a century. Who wouldn’t become jealous and desire to command a bigger ship?”
    “That’s not what I—”
    “We all have our regrets, Sparhawk,” he interrupted sharply. “We all secretly wish to hog the glory. But I think it’s high time for you to allow older, wiser heads to take over. Don’t you? Let others guide this fleet to victory over the Stroj.”
    “If that is your wish, sir,” I said stiffly. “I will do as you command. What are my exact orders?”
    “Sit here in orbit. Go on patrol if you wish, but don’t leave the Solar System. If the Stroj show up, destroy them.”
    “By myself? With a single capital ship?”
    “You’ve done it before. You can do it again. But don’t worry. Our attack will seize the initiative. We’ll terrify the Stroj and drive them back. You’ll sit here and mind the store while we’re away.”
    “It hardly seems like a critical mission.”
    “On the contrary! Every civilian on Earth is depending on you. Keep them safe, keep them happy, and you’ll be just as big a hero by the time we return as I am.”
    That was it. The Admiral would hear nothing else on the topic.

-6-
     
    Admiral Halsey paused for not more than forty hours before shipping out again. There was a great fanfare on Earth and the station as they left orbit. Seven princely battleships surrounded their queen, the star carrier. Encircling these capital ships were several dozen smaller vessels and a growing cloud of fighters.
    The armada floated away into the void, stopping off at Mars to load yet more fighters before heading to the edge of the Solar System to find a breach point. From there, they would enter an ER bridge and exit the star system.
    After they’d gone, I was left in a glum mood, unlike the rest of my crew. Most of them were overjoyed to learn Defiant was to remain parked in orbit while the fleet journeyed out into the unknown.
    I could not share their happiness. I felt I was being left behind, relegated to guard duty just when Earth needed my skills