"William Forstchen - Wing Commander 3 - Fleet Action" - читать интересную книгу автора (Forstchen William R)

"Temporarily," Prince Thrakhath said, "perhaps."

"Prince Thrakhath," the Baron said smoothly, "more than six years ago
it was you who detailed off all new transport construction to your own
Project Hari. Just how many transports and other material has your own
clan tied up in that project, while the main battle suffers for want of
supplies?"

He paused, seeing the stirring of interest in the room.

"We are not here to talk of Hari," Thrakhath snapped, "we are here
instead to hear your own report and ideas first."

The clan leaders looked from Thrakhath to Jukaga and the Baron could
sense that more than one finally wanted the truth of this secret project
revealed. But first he would drive another point home.

Baron Jukaga nodded to an aide standing in the far side of the room
who controlled the holo screen.

The image shifted to a three dimensional map of the Empire and a
weaving of orange and red lines.

"Intelligence has found out that the humans are aware of the
opportunity that exists for them for at least the next two eight-of-eights
days, and are contemplating an offensive to exploit our short term
weakness. They will commit their carriers to an opening operation in what
the humans call the Munro System. They know we must hold Munro for it
is a direct doorway into a number of the shortest jump points into the
heart of the Empire.

"Meanwhile, on eight different fronts," and as he spoke orange arrows
started to flash, "eight of their light escort carriers, along with raider
transports will jump into the Empire, aiming to cripple us from behind
and to smash our remaining transport, cruiser construction yards and
light carrier conversion centers, while ravaging planetary bases and
crippling our few supply convoys still in operation.

"That, in short, is the plan."
 The room was silent as the clan leaders studied the screens.

"It is a hideous plan," Thrakhath said coldly, "a stabbing in the back
against defenseless positions. It lacks all honor, all meeting of steel blade
against steel blade, ship against ship."

"But it will cripple us even in its cowardice," Jukaga retorted and
Thrakhath could only lower his head.

The room was silent for a moment.