"There’s a problem with the drop ship. It took heavy fire during entry," Ensign Velasquez answered
Bechler cursed. "Please tell me this hasn't all been for nothing."
Unlike the captain, Jace retained his calm. Vast experience with Kira had taught him to never count the Phoenix out. That woman had a way of surprising you.
"Lieutenant Himoto and the Curs are en-route back to the ship," Velasquez reported. "The Phoenix and her party continued on. No word on their status though."
There, you see. Just as Jace said.
Knowing Kira, she and the rest were probably causing havoc down there. It was up to Jace and his people to do their part.
The ship shuddered under another barrage.
"The least they could do is give us a break while their own people are on board," Petty Officer Green grumbled.
Jace patted him on the shoulder. "That would imply they care about the lives of their boarding party."
They didn't. It was what made the Tsavitee such a difficult foe. Their principles were vastly different than a human's. They lacked even the most basic elements of empathy. It made them ruthless. Even to their own kind.
"How is my ship, Ensign?" Bechler asked.
Jace and the petty officer, along with two ensigns, moved to set up a blockade in the event the Tsavitee managed to breech the bridge.
"We're taking a beating. We've lost two cannons on the port side and another three launch tubes."
"Our fighters?"
Ensign Boone made a face. "A third are gone."
"What about the CSS Horizon?"
"Still in the fight."
That was something at least.
The ship groaned, shimmying a little from an explosion on the opposite side.
Bechler sent an uneasy glance at the walls. "We're not going to last much longer like this."
"We don't have to. Just long enough," Jace returned.
He was banking everything on this operation. His career. The future of the Consortium. His very life. Along with the rest of those who'd followed him in this mad plan.
They'd come this far. Might as well go the distance.
Jace had known this could be a one-way trip. So did the rest of his crew. But they'd come anyway in hopes that their sacrifice might make a difference.
Jace wouldn't spit on that by turning and running now.
"I can no longer reach the CSS Lawrence. They’ve gone dark."
Bechler and Jace shared a look.
"Think they were destroyed?" Bechler asked.
"I hope not."
Shepperd was a good man. A brilliant leader. It would be a pity to lose him here.
