Read The War Across the Stars for Free Online Page A

accepted.  “The A-Z gun is slow to fire, but it has devastating results… on anything.  It fires a super cooled projectile that upon impact fills a square half-meter area with ultra cooled mist.  That entire event occurs under a second after its launch.  The mist, near instantly, freezes anything it touches to absolute zero.  This causes all molecules to essentially stop moving. In that state they are extremely easy to break.  So, with that in mind a bullet is launched zero point one two five seconds after the A-Z shot.  The bullet then hits the target shattering the entire area that was ultra cooled,” Gonyon explained. 
                  “Ha, ha! I should have expected something ingenious like that.” Phillip exclaimed. 
    “Yeah, but let’s use an example.  If we were to shoot the wall of a building, depending on the thickness, we could theoretically punch a hole clean through.  Imagine the effect on massed infantry.  A drawback however, is that it takes about fifteen point eight seven two seconds to cool the next round.  Which means the user will definitely need escort, and that in its current form, has little chance of becoming standard soldier armament.  The super cooled bullet is made of dense Hentronium.  The mist is stored in a capsule held at two hundred degrees to help avoid the mist destroying the bullet. As long as the mist is in the packet its effects are essentially neutralized. Once the trigger is pulled, the first bullet passes through the tip, and a weak force field bursts the packet.  The mist then leaks out of the capsule and spreads out over its half-meter radius.  I have one of the two currently existing A-Z guns.  The other one is at a classified testing facility,” Francis concluded. 
                  “All right…” Palmer sighed.  “Now you all know how that thing works.  I think it’s about time you get to see it work,” Palmer said. 
    Several of us nodded silently.
    “In about five minutes we jump.  When possible try to use the correct tactics for this.  Have the quiet lasers in front, snipers picking off the enemies from the back and the assault rifles providing cover for the snipers in case of attack.”
    “We know the rules sir, I’m ready for the mission,” Sergeant Johnston announced, seemingly bothered by being instructed on ground tactics by a naval officer.
    “In that case, head on down to the hangar bay.  We’ll want you on the transport and ready to launch as soon as we arrive at Sontonos, Sergeant.  So be ready.” Palmer instructed. 
    “Yes sir,” Johnston called out. 
    We then hurried down the hall, all the way back to the hangar bay.  We all reentered the transports and sat down.
                  Then the Liberator’ s intercom came on and we heard Palmer’s voice, “All crew at battle stations, Palmer out!” 
    Then we all prepared to jump.   Although we were unable to see, I could tell we jumped. Then, there was an explosion, coming from within the ship.
    The intercom came on again, “Repair Team B, please report to Hall D, Deck 7.  We landed right on top of a Vorgian Fighter Squadron,” Palmer’s voice commanded.
    “That sounds bad,” Robert said to us. 
    “Let’s get outta here,” Airman Xavier said. 
    We began to lift.  A voice came over the transport’s COM.
    “This is Phifer,” a deep voice said.  “The bay is open.  Let’s roll.” 
    “All right,” Wanda responded. 
    We began to drift toward the now open gateway.  We then began to rapidly pick up speed. 
    I climbed up the ladder.  What I saw froze me with terror.  There were four Vorgian Cruisers, and seven Frigates, three Corvettes, six Destroyers, and two Avenger-Class Battleships.  It would take more than three ships to take on that fleet. 
    Then, the COM link opened.  “This is Palmer. The Liberator has sustained heavy damage to its shield.  We are already at forty-four percent.  Make this