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Meanwhile, on the Osiris…
Jack Parker clenched his fists as he took in the multiple screens showing him the space battle outside. There were four Hives left. Just four. But the Osiris was getting low on power and there were only three shots left for the devastating big gun. The Khul had figured out that attacking the Osiris only gave the ship energy to use to power the shields and its weaponry.
“Should have stopped at your friendly neighborhood gas giant to top up the tanks before we went on this family vacation,” Jack said through gritted teeth.
Such a review of past actions is only useful for future battles, Flight-Commander Parker. It is not useful for the current engagement, the Osiris replied tartly on the screen to his lower right. You may make your recommendations at a later date. You are only here because there is no one of greater rank on board at this time.
Jace had told him and Diane that a “tart” Osiris was a happy Osiris, but Jack was pretty sure that this wasn’t the case this time. Both of them were anxious that they were cut off from Jace and now low on power.
“Four Hives, three shots left, Osiris. That’s the math. Any lessening of that dampening field so we can reach Jace and get that big gun down on the planet to send death from below again?” Jack asked.
No.
One single word that had Jack’s mouth going dry. Only one ship had made it to the planet’s surface. Khoth and Jace had taken out a whole Hive. They would be able to handle one ship.
He hoped.
But Jack knew how any battle could go south. And that was his son down there. A son that up until a few days ago couldn’t get out of bed some days due to pain. Now Jack and Diane were up here and couldn’t even contact their son.
“Dai?” Jack barked into the local comms to get the engineer Dai Suzuki.
His pleasant face appeared on one of the screens. Sweat coated his broad forehead, but his voice was level, “Flight-Commander Parker?”
“We have four Hives and enough power for three blasts. Not good odds, Dai,” Jack said to the engineer who nodded. “I need more power. Any way to make that happen?”
Before Dai had even opened his mouth, a furious bit of text appeared from the Osiris, I am in need of no assistance from--
“You’re built to work with someone, with the Pilot,” Jack interrupted. “And you don’t have him here right now.”
I am quite capable of managing my own power systems! The Osiris did not add an exclamation point, but Jack heard it all the same.
“Uhm, actually, I’ve been studying your systems and if we diverted power from the shields to the main weapon, I believe we could have a fourth blast,” Dai said, pushing his glasses up his nose.
The cursor blinked.
“Well, Osiris, is he right?” Jack asked.
The cursor blinked.
Jack crossed his arms over his chest. “Osiris--”
That is not a viable option, the Osiris finally responded.
“Why not?” Jack’s eyes narrowed.
Because I am cut off from casting myself into another location, the Osiris answered.
“Wait, are you telling me that you won’t do it because you’re afraid you’ll die?” Jack’s eyebrows rose.
“Draining the shields and powering up the main weapon will leave us exposed for approximately 20 seconds before the weapon can fire,” Dai added. “I know a lot can happen in 20 seconds, but it’s an option.”
“Osiris, that is a very valid option. If we use it for the last Hive and coordinate with the other ships in the area--”
While that might end this conflict, if I am damaged or destroyed, the Khul have ultimately won, the Osiris finally responded.
“How long can that shield around the planet hold before the Hive can break through? How long before there’s a thousand ships on Haseon and not just one?” Jack asked.
Other Alliance vessels should be making their way here--
