CHAPTER 12
HUNKERED DOWN IN SICK BAY
A jarring explosion threw Tom and the others across the room. The ship shuddered with the vibration of cannon fire. Torpedoes and rockets exploded against the side of the ship. Powerful blast miles away in space sent shock waves that pounded the space ship. The cruiser escort fired dozens of rockets in defense.
Tom watched the monitor in horror. He huddled under a table next to Dr. Johnson while the monitor displayed rockets racing toward them on ribbon tails of flame. The room shook. Furniture and equipment leaped back and forth, like a crazy dance across the room.
The pirates were vicious in their attack. They focused their weapons on the ranger's cruiser. For every torpedo launched at the Stardiver three more were fired at the cruiser. It was pounded by an endless fiery flow of rockets, torpedoes, and lasers. Balls of orange fire burst on its sides and fins. Lasers stabbed at it, cutting holes in its sides and burning black zigzag patterns on its white surface. Canon shells sparkled as they struck the sides tearing away bits with each hit. The ranger’s cannon flashed like angry bright yellow strobe lights. Rockets sped away on streaks of flame seeking the enemy. In spite of the fierce defense, the rangers were being overwhelmed.
“Doc,” Tom was about to panic. “Why doesn't the other ranger ship come back? We’re going to lose!”
“They don’t know we need help because the sunspots keep us from calling for help.” The doctor was grim. “Or they may have gotten into a trap too.”
The rangers were in trouble. Smoke puffed from the cruiser's side, and most of its lights were out, pieces floated away, tumbling slowly outward. The cannon barrels were no longer flashing.
The monitor flickered black then a beautiful face filled it, the face of a woman with round sweet childlike eyes; her red lips were full and her smile showed perfect teeth. “I am Supreme Commander Ruby Graves, of the Liberation Confederation.” Her voice was like cream. She spoke slowly and kindly, like a mother comforting a crying child. “I call upon Commanders Brazil, and Captain Price to surrender. You and your men will be treated with respect according to the Conventions of War.
The monitor flickered again and showed the command center of the ranger’s cruiser. It was dark with smoke and wreckage, in the gloom lights sparkled and men ran past yelling. Commander Brazil stood in the middle of chaos; blood stained his uniform. He folded his arms across his chest. “It is I who demand you to surrender!” He challenged. "Surrender now. You will be given fair trials.”
The screen went blank.
Tom held Ollie, it made him feel brave.
An alarm rang. White smoke began to cloud the air. The great ship lurched and bounced as the pirates began their most fearsome attack. Tom was thrown against the Doctor. The floor seemed to drop away and rise back up. They were tossed across the floor again and again like toys inside a shaken box. Their ears hurt with the sound of explosions. Medical equipment fell and glass crashed. Tables slid right and left across the room. Broken equipment covered the floor and filled every corner of Sick Bay.
Darkness grabbed the room as lights went out and emergency lights glowed green. The pounding seemed to last forever. Suddenly all was still. In the dark quiet the nurse was sobbing. They all looked at each other wondering what new horror of space war they faced next.
Ollie started. His wolf-like senses knew before anybody else. His ears heard them, There were trespassers in his territory.
The voice of Captain Price came over the intercom. “We have been boarded! The Pirates are at Airlock Three. Form a defense line. Prepare for hand to hand Combat."
(c) Adron
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