"Steve Gordon - Ensectoid 01 - The Ensectoid Invasion" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gordon Steve)

on Tentus.
Then as part of a "modernization" program Kalin retired
fifteen perfectly capable ships of the line before their
replacements were made ready. In fact, since Kalin had taken
over, Zarat hadn't seen a single replacement ship come off
the assembly lines. There were "problems in production" he
was told.
Then the final straw came two months ago when a drive
explosion on one of the newest class of battlecruisers forced
all ten of those battlecruisers out of service for
"inspection". Despite repeated inquiries, Zarat had had no
word on when he was going to get those ships back either.
So there he was commander of a once mighty fleet of a little
more than 100 ships, now down to a demoralized group of 55
ships, all because of the incompetence of their leadership.
There was already talk in the ranks about getting rid of
Kalin and putting a new leadership in place, a military
leadership, and if the situation didn't improve soon, Zarat
might be forced to take sides. Kalin's predecessor, Quick,
had been a civilian, but he had shown by example that he knew
how to run the military. Kalin didn't have that touch.
Currently the fleet was stationed in orbit around June, the
capital of the Directorate. Well, at least Kalin had had the
good sense not to agree to send the fleet to this ridiculous
armistice the League had agreed to with the Insectoids. Zarat
knew it would be a trap; the only question in his mind is how
many League ships would survive the trap. There had been no
word from the League fleet since the meeting at Vitalics had
begun, several hours earlier.
"Admiral, I'm getting a communication from Director Kalin,
for your eyes only," said a crewer.
Kalin entered his ready room, and keyed in a code. A hologram
of the Director appeared in front of his desk.
"Admiral, you're there. Good. Prepare the fleet for
attack."
"Attack, sir?" From the Insectoids? How could they
attack this far into their territory without being detected?
"The Insectoids are about to attack June," said Kalin.
How did Kalin know this? "Sir?"
"We haven't much time. The Insectoid fleet will
outnumber and outgun your fleet by at least two to one. Your
orders are to engage them in one pass only."
"One pass only?" This was only getting more confusing.
"And then what?"
"Disengage and make for open space. Head out and stay
alive as long as possible."
"You would ask us to abandon June after a show of no more
than a token resistance!" Despite his dislike for Kalin,
Zarat was prepared to obey reasonable orders. But this wasn't
a reasonable order, not by a long shot. He should leave the