Countdown by John Walker (most life changing books TXT) 📕

enemy. Continue following the course backward out of the asteroid field. Open fire when she’s in direct view.”

This is the tricky part.

Turning in the asteroid field was a gamble. Some of the rocks were big enough to cause some serious damage to the shields, perhaps even get through them completely. He anticipated a potential hull breach… they might have one anyway with the strange device attached to them.

I planned for it though, Sasha thought. And our pursuers are forced to react.

The ship whined as the thrusters kicked in, spinning them in place. Rocks battered the sides of the ship, bringing about a collision alarm this time. Christ, we have a lot of alerts! The enemy ship slid into view, their turrets and cannons attempting to fend off the barrage of asteroids pelting their vessels.

Green shields created a permanent glow around their target. Marston opened fire, laying into them with all cannons. The assault wasn’t enough to penetrate their defenses, but that wasn’t necessarily the plan. Sasha wanted to reduce their power, help the debris do some real damage.

And it worked. The glow of their shields faded on the left as they were struck by the obstacles. It happened on the opposite side as well, bringing their defenses down to twenty percent. It may not have been enough to destroy the ship, but they certainly had their hands full.

The ervas ship slowed, thrusters holding them in place. Weapons continued firing, creating a net around the front of the vessel that the rocks couldn’t get through. Sasha felt tempted to stop, to load them up and finish the bastards off but he couldn’t guarantee he’d have a path out if he did.

I’ve halted their advance, Sasha thought. That’s enough for now. And their companion won’t be stupid enough to plunge through the field now. They’ll go around to meet us on the other side but by then, it should be too late. He took a deep breath, letting it out along with as much tension as his muscles would release.

“Maintain course,” Sasha said, “hold your fire and focus on getting us out of here in one piece. Daisy, update me on that device the moment you have anything.” We’re almost done. We just have to hold on for another few minutes.

***

Zem stood in the doorway of the control room of Loch’s compound. He scanned the room for alarms or traps; anything that might alert a remote system of unauthorized entry. Paranoia made them build the structure so far from civilization, and any sort of bizarre precaution might be possible.

Fortunately, it seemed Zem’s concerns were unfounded.

Five chairs sat in front of various consoles with a dais behind them. A chair sat up there with computers on either side, providing an operator with access to all major systems in the complex. All communications went through that room both internal and otherwise. Tapping the nearest computer, Zem found the schedule for departures and arrivals.

Turned out the twenty men at the base had been the regulars. Fifteen men had traveled to the spaceport just over a hundred twenty miles away. They were due back in the morning, meaning if Loch didn’t show up, there’d be another fight in the near future. Another twenty guys took a different ship to a neighboring system for extortion money.

That was all the action in that base.

Not too bad. We could’ve had it a lot worse.

One particular directory had some security protecting it; a two-layer passcode. Zem figured it contained information about the various missions Loch sent his people on, maybe even some holdings. If they got Rita back without ending his life, the intel might be used to bring him down legally.

Screw that. Zem took a seat. I’m ending that piece of shit no matter what happens. No one’s going to stop me either.

Nostros and McCully came in pulling Biggun with them. They had him cuffed behind his back, but the man still struggled, yanking his shoulders in an attempt to walk on his own. Neither of the marines let him. His scowl indicated how much it annoyed him. As a prisoner in his own base, he was spitting pissed.

“Thanks,” Zem said. “I need to talk to that ass.”

“I’m not saying anything,” Biggun replied. “You can do what you want.”

“Cool.” Zem regarded him from the console, looking him over. “That’s some serious loyalty you have for your corrupt, evil as shit boss. I’m impressed. Any reason you want to tell me about? Did he do something to deserve it or are you just spiting us? I’d understand that all things considering.”

“You’re a lying piece of filth.” Biggun spat on the floor. “I can’t believe I fell for your bullshit. I deserve this, but that doesn’t mean I’m betraying anyone for you.”

“What if I offered you the chance to walk again?” Zem asked. “Because here’s the deal. If you don’t help me, you’re useless. I can compel you, but my method only gives you three chances. Left leg, right leg, chest. Either you walk normally by helping now, gimp around through defiance, sit in a wheelchair… or die.”

Biggun scowled. “That’s sick.”

“Says the pirate who victimizes colonies and other people throughout the frontier.” Zem sighed. “Loch’s going down one way or another. You don’t have to ride that train. I’m giving you a minute to think about it.” He turned away, tapping at some of the other folders on the computer. They tracked supplies, resource consumption, and weapons among other things.

The admin here’s pretty thorough. I’m impressed. I thought they’d be a bunch of slovenly assholes who barely got by. Loch ran a tight operation which honestly made sense given how long he’d been in business. I wonder if the Gold Empire’s new status had him nervous. His way of life had to be coming to an end.

“Hold him, Lieutenant,” McCully said. She came