Chapter 5

Takara had been watchingthe Alpha Company’s Jess slide into close, almost too close formation when weapon’s fire lanced upward out of Australia—a ground-based maser of incredible power. The Night Stalkers’ flight was still technically in space, just now descending toward the hundred kilometer-high demarkation. The shot had come when they crossed over the large ocean bay that had brought such prosperity to the Outback. Central Australia was one of the few areas on the planet to prosper from the sea-level rise.

The Aussies had also become decidedly anti-social. Not as bad as India, but very clear about their desire to remain an undisturbed island nation.

One of her Taggers was hit full force by the single shot—probably just meant as a warning.

“Computers gone,” it reported. “Control?—”

The Tagger slid sideways, clipped the Stella’s tail.

Without his computer, the pilot over-corrected into a tumble and thudded hard against the hull plates of the Stinger Jess flying close beside the Stella. The big ship jerked, caught bad air, and slid off onto a new trajectory just as they entered the comms blackout zone of the descent. No maneuvering here.

The Tagger tumbled and burned.

* * *

Tagger 31 total loss.

Damage assessment = Stella tail firing positions blocked by bent hull plating.

Non-critical malfunction pending no attack from astern.

Last imaging of Stinger Jess indicates 19% chance hull failure if continues reentry.

If manage to course correct, skip off atmo, and reenter space? Favorable 23-42% for survival.

Drive nozzles severely damaged.

Not good. Very not good.