"David Weber & Steve White - Starfire 2 - Crusade" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weber David)

"Aye, sir.тАЬ The captainтАЩs voice was flat with disapproval, and his admiralтАЩs eyes flickered with
cold amusement.

"If the infidel agrees, weтАЩll halt the remainder of the task force while the screen closes, and
thenтАжтАЬ

The long delay between JohansenтАЩs transmission and the response was agonizing, but it finally
came, and all eyes on ZnamaeтАЩs bridge turned unobtrusively to the least claw.

"Comments, Saahmaantha?тАЬ he asked quietly.

"I donтАЩt like it, Captain,тАЬ she said flatly. "They donтАЩt feel right, but theyтАЩve got the speed to catch
us if we run.тАЬ

"I share the lieutenantтАЩs suspicion, sir, and I must point out that if they close to such a short
range, their weapons would -

"I know, Yahaarnow,тАЬ Khardanish said, "but we have small choice, and the Alliance serves both
our Khan and the Federation well. If we risk our lives to preserve it, we do no more than our
duty.тАЬ He held the execтАЩs eyes until his ears twitched agreement, then looked at Johansen.

"Very well, Lieutenant, inform them we will comply.тАЬ He turned back to the exec. "Maintain
Status One, but I want no active targeting systems.тАЬ

The Orion Tenth Destroyer Squadron hung motionless, watching a handful of scanner dots close
with it. The remainder of the "TerranтАЬ fleet had halted well beyond attack range, and Khardanish
hoped that was a good sign, yet uneasiness simmered in his blood, and it was hard to keep his
claws from twitching. The faceless com link had refused further communication until rendezvous
was made, and its silence bit at his nerves.

He watched KeplerтАЩs light dot. The heavy cn├╝ser was now at eight light-seconds and closing at a
leisurely two percent of light-speed with two light cruisers and three of her brood of destroyers.
The other six destroyers had halted at ten light-seconds, just within standard missile range. It
looked as if the other side was doing exactly as agreed.
"Range six light-seconds, sir,тАЬ Observer Hinarou reported.

"Lieutenant, request that they come no closer until we have established visual communications.тАЬ

"Aye, sir.тАЬ Johansen activated her com once more. "Kepler, this is Lieutenant Johansen. Our
commander requests that you come no closer until visual communications have b - тАЬ

"Incoming fire!тАЬ Yahaarnow snapped, and the display was suddenly alive with missile traces.

"Return fire!тАЬ Khardanish slammed his clawed fist against his armrest. "Enemy flagship is
primary target!тАЬ

"Aye, sir, opening fire now!тАЬ

The Tenth Squadron belched homing missiles, but the reply was pitiful beside the holocaust
racing for it, and the enemy drive fields peaked as they charged in for the kill.