Free When the Stars Fade (The Gray Wars) by Adam Korenman Page B

missiles bore deep into the center of the alien frigates, trailing an explosive cloud. When they detonated, the HRs ripped the hull apart like a can-opener. The TFC Stalingrad held at the rear of the formation, a smoldering hole punched straight through her main engine compartment while her escort slugged it out nearby. Valley Forge had arrived at the center of the fray, firing main guns at the battleships while building a cloud of flak to disrupt the enemy craft. Every few minutes her monster fifties would loose two huge slugs toward the nearest capital ship, punching building-sized holes into their black frames.
                  Midway , looming over the battlefield, fired surgical shots from her five-meter-long guns into the enemy carrier. The hive-shaped warship shuddered with each ten-ton round, explosions racking the deteriorating body. A missile frigate placed itself between the flagship and Midway , only to disintegrate when the projectile rammed straight through its hull.
                  “Cam, a little help here . ”
                  Cameron snapped back into the fight. He dropped his throttle, letting George and his tail come into view. The Y fighter banked hard left, trying to evade Camero n’ s fire. Before he could lock on, the ship slammed into what remained of an alien destroyer, smearing itself along the battered metal surface.
                  “What the hell ?” The alien craft had n’ t tried to swerve or change direction at all. Cameron shook his head clear and turned back to the fight at hand. The y’ d found a sweet spot in the battlefield, away from the main effort. Cameron sucked on his water line, taking mouthfuls of the solution down with each sip .“ George, I need a minute . ”             
                  “Take your time ,” he replied .“ Wa r’ s not going anywhere . ”
                  Ca m’ s hands moved in a blur, snapping switches and flipping toggles. His computer ran an immediate diagnostic and battle update, gauging fuel and ammunition consumption in a few seconds. Satisfied with the feedback, Cameron reset the system and took watch while his wingman did the same. He silently willed George to move faster. Every second they remained still the chance of an attack increased. After what seemed ages, Georg e’ s collision lights flashed and he moved out.
                  “Cam ? ”
                  “Yeah ?” He could hear the strain in his frien d’ s voice.
                  “What are we gonna do about McLane ? ”
                  Cameron sighed. He was pushing it down, trying to focus on the fight and not the aftermath. At the Academy that had always been his problem; he tried to do everything at once. There simply was n’ t time to grieve for the dead .“I’ ll write the letter. I know the format . ”
                  “He had a sister . ”
                  “I know . ”
                  George was silent for a minute .“ We met his dad at the family event last year . ”
                  “I know ,” Cameron said softly. But nothing inside felt calm. Guilt rolled his stomach like a snowball, growing bigger and faster with each moment. You fucking idiot. You just let him die. The what-i f’ s came faster than expected, spinning his brain in circles. And then, as suddenly as the fear arrived, it was gone. There was still work to do, and he was in charge .“ Come on, le t’ s go to work . ”
                  Together with George, he raced toward Savanna to rejoin with the rest of SP. The frigate loosed the rest of its payload of warheads at the stream of incoming ships. Having pushed too far forward of the main battle line, Savanna sat unprotected and vulnerable and the enemy made all haste to capitalize. Squadrons of alien bombers, hideous crab-shaped machines, unloaded a