The Defenders
Bill Baldwin
Beyazh," Brim yelled, hauling in the little ship's helm.
"Get that last torpedo ready.
NOW!"
"We're not going to fire this one," Brim warned, holding up his hand, "instead, we're going to jettison it."
"Jettison?" Beyazh exclaimed. "An armed torpedo?"
"Yeah," Brim said through clenched teeth; the Leaguers were catching up fast, "...but set the fuse for proximity—at about five hundred irals."
'" space mine!" the Fluvannian whispered. "Of course."
"If they'll just hold off firing a few more clicks," Brim grunted, his eyes glued to the aft view display. The bastards had to be just where he wanted them. "Ready..." he warned. A whir behind the alt bulkhead told him that the number five torpedo-loading hatch was open. The Leaguers were nearly on top of him. He dared not wait another moment.
"Let 'er go!" he bellowed, then shoved the thrust dampers into MILITARY OVERLOAD.
No sooner had the ejector mechanism cycled than both League ships fired ranging shots—and space itself erupted in a binding inferno of raw energy...
Also by Bill Baldwin
THE MERCENARIES
THE TROPHY
THE HELMSMAN
GALACTIC CONVOY
Published by
WARNER BOOKS
A Time Warner Company
WARNER BOOKS EDITION
Copyright © 1992 by Merl Baldwin
All rights reserved.
Questar is a registered trademark of Warner Books, Inc.
Cover illustration by John Berkey
Cover design by Don Puckey
Warner Books, Inc.
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
A Time Warner Company
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing: August, 1992
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