Free The Ganthoran Gambit (The First Admiral Series) by William J. Benning Page A

the front, to receive the expected Alliance attack.
    “Navigation, keep course and speed steady,” Billy instructed calmly.
    “Aye, sir,” a deep, masculine voice boomed from the darkness.
    The Alliance ships were creeping slowly forward, like an ancient warrior crouched behind his shield, wary of the enemy making the first move. The Frontier Fleet seemed to be moving more ships into their firing line. To Billy Caudwell, it was apparent that he would have to launch an attack on this static Ganthoran position. From the positioning of the Frontier Fleet ships, it appeared unlikely that they would attack, and that Billy would have to take the battle to them.
    “Coming into pulsar-cannon range now, sir,” the WATO announced.
    “Very well,” Billy said, “commence firing at will.”
    “Yes, sir,” the WATO replied.
    A few seconds later, the deep rumbling THUD of the first salvo from the ten high-yield pulsar-cannon aboard Aquarius announced that the gunners had opened fire.
    On the War Table image, the other eleven Star-Cruisers had also opened fire, sending a total of one-hundred-and-twenty white-hot pulsar-cannon bolts streaking downrange to find targets amongst Kallet’s ships.
    And, in the space of a single breath, the pulsar-bolts struck home on their targets. With a line of Frontier Fleet ships facing them, not one of the pulsar-bolts missed. Over forty of the smaller Destroyers were blown to oblivion in the first salvo. The direct strike from a high-yield pulsar-bolt was something that the small vessels just simply could not survive. With many Destroyers struck by more than one bolt, their devastation was guaranteed. Of the forty Cruisers in Kallet’s line, twelve were destroyed in the first salvo. Some, struck by second and third pulsar-bolts, lurched and shuddered under the devastating impacts before exploding in deep orange and red fireballs. The smaller and more vulnerable Destroyers stationed close beside them were vapourised in the inferno of destruction. Those Destroyers more distant, were caught in the massive storm of metal and debris; causing untold deaths, damage, and destruction. The Destroyer Captains caught in the whirlwind of debris had little chance of avoiding their doom.
    Another five Cruisers, sustaining one hit or a glancing blow from a pulsar-bolt, were seriously damaged, with two of them immobilised.
    Like punch-drunk boxers, the Cruisers reeled at their stations as the pulsar-bolts slammed into their hulls, showering the surrounding Destroyers with debris and metal fragments from their ruptured super-structures. Once again, the unfortunate accompanying Destroyers were struck by an uncontrollable avalanche of destruction. Many dodged and weaved to avoid the flying fragments of Cruiser hulls, but all too many were not agile, speedy, or nimble enough to escape the tidal wave of devastation.
    And, in an extremely lucky moment, one pulsar-bolt made its way through the entire Frontier Fleet horse-shoe position eventually striking one of the “Six-Cigar” Carriers. The fortunate Alliance shot struck one of the cigar-tube Landing Bays on the Carrier, and smashed into the super-structure, sending debris and flame spewing out into space. With the Frontier Fleet Carriers packed so closely together, the debris and flame from the hit Carrier blasted across the short divide to bombard one of the other Carriers. The damage to the second Carrier was no more than to dent the hull and scratch the paintwork. However, it did convince Kallet and the captains of the other Carriers that they should, perhaps, consider moving away from such close proximity to one another.
    On the War Table image, Billy saw that most of the Frontier Fleet’s battle-line move forward to meet the Alliance’s advances.
    Yes, you’re no fool Kallet , Billy considered as he scrutinised the Frontier Fleet position once more.
    The “Six-Cigar” Carriers were starting their slow and ponderous manoeuvres away from the close proximity