First Strike

“Status report?” asked Admiral Sheridan.

  Killam said, “Sir, both Kurgan carriers along with two of the enemy’s three destroyers have been destroyed. Unfortunately, the third destroyer jumped away before it could be finished off.”

  Admiral Sheridan nodded. “How many of the enemy’s ships managed to escape?”

  “It looks like less than ten percent of the Kurgan Fleet got away.”

  Sheridan was impressed. “I can live with those odds. What are our losses?”

  Killam skimmed his console. “Admiral, the Saratoga was rammed by a Kurgan light cruiser. The damage to the ship is quite extensive. She’ll need time in a spaceport before she’s ready to fight the enemy again.”

  “Other losses?”

  “Sir, we lost the light cruisers Aurora and Olympia. The cruisers Lion, Kongo, and Novara were severely damaged and will also need to be sent back for repairs. We lost sixty-three fighters in the battle. Only nine of the pilots managed to eject and have been rescued. The rest, unfortunately, were lost.”

  “What are our total losses?”

  “Sir, the reports from the fleet are still coming in. However, as of now we have suffered a total of two thousand and fifty-eight dead or missing, three hundred and twelve wounded.”

  Admiral Sheridan closed his eyes for a moment. They had come off with comparatively light casualties; still, the thought of so many dead weighed heavy on him. He sat down and looked over at Commander Roy. “Please keep track of the casualty list for me.”

  “Aye, sir,” replied Roy.

  “Sir, we’ve established contact with the forces on Derra-5,” announced a master chief.

  Admiral Sheridan said, “Captain Killam, have the missile cruisers maneuver into position above the Kurgan forces on the planet and begin bombardment as soon as possible. Also, warn off the carriers to be prepared to launch their fighter-bomber squadrons.”

  With everything falling into place, Admiral Sheridan allowed himself to relax a little. They were vulnerable to an enemy counterattack, but he doubted that they had the forces in the region to try it. He walked over to a large window and looked down at the planet below. His thoughts turned to his son. He hoped that he was alright and that he would soon be able to see him. They had so much to talk about. He wanted to get to know the man his son had become before it was too late and he regretted it for the rest of his life.

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