Free The Inception: The Augmented Human Rebellion - Book 1 by Terry Lefler

target the Engineering
section of the heavy cruiser. If that target is not available to you,
then target the Engineering section of another Verm vessel. Hit them with
everything that you have.”
    “Also, try to hide behind the ship, which you are attacking, so that you
are hidden from the other enemy vessels. Make it your practice to hide
behind any vessel that has been disabled.”
    “And remember, that energy weapons are most effective when you are in
close, but don’t forget your rail guns and missiles. Most ships won’t be
expecting a projectile attack, in close. Even if it doesn’t damage them,
the attack may confuse them.”
    “Let’s coordinate our attacks, whenever possible. They outnumber
us, but if we are able to separate one of them from the pack, then both of us
should attack the straggler.”
    “That is it. Anyone else have anything? …..No? … OK.”
    “The AIs are in charge at the beginning of the battle. It will be a
few minutes before we are close enough for a surprise attack. Listen for
the ‘ about time ’ signal from Commander Farn, and then give the enemy
everything that you have. Darius, are you and Delphi ready?”
    “Aye sir.”
    “Aye sir.”
    “And remember,” says the Captain, “Try to take out the heavy cruiser
first. Both ships target the Engineering section. If that is not
possible, then choose another ship to target. Go get them, kids.”
    “Aye sir.”
    “Aye sir.”
    “Danion, you must be a proud parent,” adds the Captain.
    “Oh, I am sir. And very nervous. This ‘parent thing’ is not
as easy as it looks,” says the AI.
    “They will make you proud,” the Captain assures.
    ***
    The plans are made, and the ships are coming closer to the 4 Verm
warships. Commander Farn is having a conversation with an admiral aboard
the heavy cruiser. Only Commander Farn’s side of the dialog is audible in
the conference room, but that is enough to get the gist of the conversation.
    ……….. ……… ……… “Aye aye Sir. I know we could have done better sir,
but it seemed wise at the time. There were a number of Darinx warships in
the system, and it seemed right, to me, that we should hide and ‘run silent’,
so that we wouldn’t be captured or destroyed. We couldn’t even risk
sending an information probe,” says Commander Farn.
    …………………………………………………… “Aye sir. My FTL propulsion system is
intermittent, and we haven’t been able to fix it. The other ship stayed
with us, for protection.” …….…………………….. “Aye sir. I know sir.
But perhaps we can get some of your maintenance people to look at it.
…………… ………… “Aye Sir. Which vessel?” ………………. “Aye sir. We’ll
be right there” …………………
    …….. And in due time, Commander Farn says: “It’s about time .”
    ***
    As soon as the words ‘ about time ’ leave Commander Farn’s mouth,
the AIs aboard the two Augmented Human warships open fire, on the Engineering
section of the heavy cruiser. The only words still coming through the
comm link, from the Verm admiral, are curse words, and those get cut off in
mid-sentence.
    The humans rush onto the Command Deck and take their positions, as the
POW’s leave the area. The Captain will have to thank them for a job ‘well
done’, later - when things calm down.
    Both the Freedom and Liberty are still being controlled by
the AIs, Darius and Delphi. Captain Nemo leaves them in control, until
the AIs have disabled the Engineering section of the heavy cruiser.
    At that point, Captain Nemo says: “Darius and Delphi. Great
Job. Give control to the humans, for a while,” – and they do.
    The heavy cruiser is ‘dead in the water’. The ship is firing
weapons but can’t maneuver. The Freedom and Liberty hide behind two of
the Verm light cruisers, and began firing at those targets. The Verm
ships are overwhelmed by the unexpected assault. Light from energy
weapons