Planet Wrecker

-61-

“Grim,” said Omi.

Marten was bent forward in his seat. He had been watching the battle, with an elbow on a knee and his fist clenched. The cyborgs had destroyed two Orion-ships before the attack-craft could detach. Then attack-craft from four big Orion-ships spayed outward like shotgun pellets.

Omi’s comment came from the fate of the four surviving Orion-ships. After launching their attack-craft, the big nuclear-bomb-powered vessels accelerated once again. They accelerated faster than at any time in the journey. A torpedo took out another one. But the three surviving ships crashed into asteroids.

“People piloted those,” Marten whispered.

“Better than being captured by cyborgs and turned into one,” said Omi.

Now the Orion-launched attack-craft decelerated, attempting to land and unload their soldiers. On too many asteroids, however, point-defense cannons opened up, and counter-missiles rose up to destroy the landing craft.

“It’s all suicide,” said Omi.

Even though he knew he should try to remain calm, Marten couldn’t tear his eyes from the screen. The ultra-lasers from the Doom Stars still smashed into the asteroids. And now another mass wave of HB missiles came up.

Marten squinted. With an effort of will, he uncurled his fingers and moved toggles. He wanted to know what kind of missiles those were. The information startled him, although he knew it shouldn’t. “Those hold Highborn commandoes,” he whispered.

“Huh?” asked Omi.

“The next wave,” said Marten, “the new missiles. They’re filled with Highborn shock-troopers.”

“Great. After that mass expenditure of cyborg-hardware, at least a few of them should get through to the asteroids.”

Marten glanced sharply at Omi.

“Trouble?” asked the Korean.

Marten glared at the main screen. “The self-centered hypocrite, he planned for this.”

“Who did?” asked Omi. “What are you talking about?”

“The order of attack,” Marten said. “This is Grand Admiral Cassius’s plan. Do you remember he berated me for slowing down?”

“Sure I remember.”

“He engineered it this way,” Marten said.

Omi gave him a blank look.

“He sent the Orion-ships in first to take the hits,” Marten said. “He used them to absorb damage so his precious Highborn wouldn’t take any scratches.”

Omi’s features hardened. “He was trying to use us.”

“It’s time we changed that,” Marten said.

“How?”

“Yeah, that’s going to be the trick,” said Marten.