Stand Into Danger: Empire Rising Book 0 by D. J. Holmes Page B

all been aimed at the four Russian destroyers protecting the Behemoth and after a series of explosions rippled around the Behemoth none of the destroyers remained.
     
    The next British salvo homed in on the Behemoth and got four direct hits and another eight proximity hits. Still, it managed to return fire with twelve missiles but they were easily swatted away by the British point defenses. A final salvo thundered out from Achilles and her consorts. It exploded into the stricken Behemoth and battered it beyond all recognition. As one of the last missiles struck the wrecked shell of the ship it exploded close enough to its fission reactors to cause a chain reaction that destroyed the ship in a giant fireball. When the sensor feed cleared their target was no more.
     
    With his part of the battle over Somerville then turned to survey the rest of the engagement. Agincourt and her flotilla had successfully destroyed their target. The Americans had actually convinced the third Behemoth to surrender, although it looked like it wouldn’t be good for anything other than scrap. Villeneuve had given up chasing the lead Behemoth and had turned back to harass the last one instead. Even as Somerville watched the lead Behemoth jumped out of the system. The Russians would be getting one of their monster ships back.
     
    That would be all though, for Villeneuve’s determination ensured the last didn’t make it to shift space. Taking a risk, he charged into plasma range again and took out the Behemoth with six heavy plasma bolts that all struck the Behemoths engines. In return the Behemoth had only one functioning plasma cannon but it got a hit on Argonaute, causing a significant amount of damage. Somerville guessed Villeneuve would take the damage as a fair exchange for with its engines the damaged the Behemoth surrendered. 
     
    With the battle over, Somerville allowed himself to relax. There was a lot of work ahead of him. Achilles needed significant repairs and the rest of the British fleet was now his responsibility. Yet they had done it. It would take the Russians decades to rebuild their losses and they would think twice about invading the French colonies again. He could spare a moment to reflect on the last couple of months. As he closed his eyes to focus his thoughts he smiled when he heard the final report from the communications officer.
     
    “Sir we’re getting a final signal from the flag,” she announced excitedly. “To all ships of the coalition fleet, New France thanks you.”

Chapter 7 – An Old Acquaintance
     
     
    10 th November 2439 AD, the Ouvea system.
     
    Four weeks after the Second Battle of New France, Somerville was finally where he wanted to be. As soon as the dust had settled from the battle with the Behemoths, he had focused all his energy on getting enough British ships repaired to cobble together a relief force for Ouvea. With support from the ships in orbit, General Ney had systematically defeated the isolated Russian ground forces on New France. Within a couple of weeks, he had been able to free several divisions and under the command of Brigadier General Villars, they had accompanied him to Ouvea.
     
    Somerville stood on the bridge watching the colony as his fleet approached. What Russian ships had been in the system had fled as soon as his fleet had arrived. Now, it was time to deal with the ground troops.
     
    “Communications, send this recording to the Russian Commander on Ouvea,” Somerville ordered and then spoke into the visual recorder. “Commander, I promised I would be back. This time I have brought some friends. Your fleet has been defeated at New France by a coalition of UN forces. Surrender now and I promise you, you will receive a fair trial. Threaten the civilians of Ouvea again, and I promise I will make sure you only see the end of a plasma rifle.”
     
    It took fifteen minutes for a reply to come back, when it did the communications officer summarized, “sir, we have