The Phoenix Requiem (The Phoenix Conspiracy Series Book 7) Read Online Free

within his own religion, the so-called “Dark Ones,” who had very likely infiltrated the Polarian hierarchy and were, Calvin remained convinced, responsible for the launch of the Dread Fleet, but to Rez’nac the conflict was much deeper and even more personal than Calvin had imagined.
    “And yet, despite these many defenses, we’re pretty sure these Dark Ones are already here,” said Calvin. “And have taken a foothold. He wanted to remind Rez’nac why they were there, and to help him focus on helping Calvin and the crew of the Nighthawk —by reaffirming that they were all there to fight the same enemy. So long as Calvin’s theory about the infiltration of the Dark Ones proved correct.
    “Yes,” admitted Rez’nac. “They must be here. That is the only thing that makes sense. Though I do not understand how they did it…”
    “Any luck isolating the best course, yet?” asked Calvin. As he studied the maps on the helm display, several potential paths were lit up, along with corresponding waypoints. Jay had struck several of the options, at Rez’nac’s instruction. That still left a few dozen, however.
    “I believe I have determined the best course,” said Rez’nac. “It keeps us clear of the star bases, away from the known mine fields, and brings us around the grey dwarf planet here,” he pointed, “And then through what should be clear space. At least that is my best guess. Though I can make no promises there won’t be traps or obstacles, or other hazards.”
    “Tactical analysis,” said Calvin. “If we do run into a disguised mine, is it a threat to this ship?” He wondered if he should drop stealth, raise the shields, and attempt to perform the mission under blitz circumstances. It would be a desperate ploy, but one he felt a duty to at least consider, even if only for a moment.
    “We would be destroyed,” said Rez’nac matter-of-factly.
    Calvin nodded. “Well…that’s comforting.” He then looked around at the many faces of the crowded bridge, and hoped this wasn’t going to prove to be the last time he saw them all in one piece. The fear of what might happen forced him to hesitate, but only momentarily, and, after a few seconds, he knew that continuing to wait would avail them nothing, so he gave the order.
    “Miles, keep our shields down and stealth up, Cassidy keep a hawk’s eye on our close-range scanners—I don’t want to strike any mines; Jay, begin to follow the course Rez’nac advised, sublight drives only.”
    “Aye, sir,” his people acknowledged him.
    “Sound General Quarters and strap in,” said Calvin. With that, he returned to the command position and strapped in, while everyone who could did the same. There was no seat for Rain, nor one for Rafael, so the two of them braced themselves by grabbing hold of the unused features on opposite sides of the bridge.
    The view out the window changed as the ship turned abruptly to starboard, then pitched downward. They accelerated, though the only way to tell was the announcement from Jay that they were moving forward.
    “Approaching the asteroid sphere, closing in on waypoint one. Fifteen seconds,” said Jay.
    Calvin waited silently, feeling the tension build as the ship maneuvered closer to its possible doom.
    “Waypoint one achieved,” said Jay. “Now angling, yaw fifteen degrees port, and accelerating.”
    The asteroid sphere was not yet visible out the window, but Calvin could see it in high definition on the 3D display. The current zoom showed the Nighthawk fast approaching the cloud of debris; the vessel held course, narrowly missing a large, battleship-sized asteroid spinning in place, continuing its slow orbit around the star.
    “We have entered the asteroid sphere,” announced Jay, sounding nervous. “Achieving waypoint two in twenty-five seconds.”
    The seconds came slowly, as Calvin expected them to trigger a trap at any moment, or to be spotted and targeted by one of the many outposts, platforms, star