The Beginning of the End (Universe in Flames Book 4) Read Online Free Page A

wants the Iron Fire destroyed. He must be putting on a show, trying to convince the Furies he is at least trying. So let’s give him a good one.”
    “That makes no sense. Why would he fire on us but try to spare us?” asked Daniel.
    “You know what, I think I’d better ask him.”
    “You’re gonna do what ?”
    “I’m going to ask him.”
    Chase reached for Argos in his mind.
    What do you want, Laiyos? said Argos when he felt his brother within his mind.
    Why are you holding off? But, most importantly, why did you start shooting at us?
    There was no answer.
    They asked you to, didn’t they? said Chase
    Yes. I hate when I need to break my word. I promised you would be able to take Sarah and your unborn child out of here. I owed you that much for your help today.
    Glad you think so. So what’s the plan here?
    Why aren’t you out of here already?
    Your first volley took us by surprise. Our shields were down and it disabled our hyperspace engines.
    Chase detected a little compassion behind the words of his brother and it really troubled him. Even though he understood the pride behind keeping one’s word, it was Argos, after all. Why did he care so much? They were still arch enemies, after all. Or were they?
    Let me ask you something. You really wanted me by your side, didn’t you?
    I don’t know what you’re talking about, brother.
    Don’t play coy. We’re the only ones talking here, so you don’t need to appear tough for anyone else. I felt something when I left your ship. I thought it was fear but perhaps it was something else.
    Get a grip, Laiyos, you mean nothing to me. Like I told you, I just don’t like being told what to do, especially if that means breaking a promise I’ve made.
    Chase knew he was talking with Argos’ ego right now and there was no way he would admit that his decision could be based on anything else. Still, he could clearly sense Argos didn’t want to destroy the Iron Fire .
    Argos, I have a plan to get me and my friends out of here and make it look like I outsmarted you. But I’m gonna need your help.
    Argos growled. I’m listening.
     
    *   *   *
     
    The StarFury was nearly upon Argos’ fleet. Chase targeted the ship he was about to destroy, with Argos’ help. He fired all four drones in shielded torpedo mode towards it. The fleet tried to destroy the drones but their shields held up and they exploded on the target’s shield in quick succession, their quadrinium-enhanced core successfully draining the ship’s shields. Not enough to fully disable them, but enough for the next part of his plan.
    Chase overloaded the StarFury’s engines and micro-jumped the ship towards the targeted Zarlack destroyer. The starfighter jumped into the capital ship and exploded at its center, creating a chain reaction of explosions that took the capital ship out, which in turn created a powerful shockwave that damaged the surrounding ships. With that out of the way, Chase concentrated on the other StarFury and activated its jump engines. Just when it was about to create a hyperspace window the StarFury was hit with a powerful yellow plasma blast that came out of nowhere and destroyed it.
    “Fuck! What was that?” shouted Chase in frustration.
    “The shot came from the planet,” said Sarah.
    A few more shots hit the Iron Fire and sparks flew inside the bridge as the lights blinked for a few seconds.
    Dammit, the Furies are taking things into their own hands.
    As the Iron Fire received more pounding from the planet, its shields drained quickly. Chase’s mind raced to find another plan, but he was quickly running out of options.
    “Keera, I don’t suppose you’ve managed to restore the jump engines already?”
    “Not only haven’t we managed to repair them, but the last impacts have destabilized half the ship’s power conduits. The shield generators are fluctuating dangerously.”
    “What do we do now?” inquired Daniel, his voice trembling.
    “Abandon ship. Everyone to the Valken