Chapter 75
Aboard the Baktun
Stokes and Fierro stood in the CIC. The La Liga crime lord waited anxiously for news from Dr. Bose down in her lab. She promised the organoid AGI would launch precisely ten minutes from now.
But Stokes was straining the leash, salivating at the prospect of combat.
The old war dog had watched the supremely fast and violent exchange between the Fuzhou and the American ship—no doubt the one he had fought with before.
It deployed the same weapons and speed that had defeated his attacks earlier. And now it had a new name. Oregon.
His eyes glanced at the countdown clock.
In less than ten minutes the AGI would launch and he could power up his engines without fear of harming the project and earning Fierro’s wrath.
But after Project Q was stood up on its own two feet, he’d retake control of his ship, and give battle to the Oregon no matter what Fierro said.
He’d waited his entire adult life for a moment like this—and he’d fire on the Chinese, too, if it came to that.
“Mr. Fierro, Director Peng is calling for you,” the comms tech said.
Fierro stepped over to the comms station.
“We saw your skirmish, Peng. Well done.”
“Never mind that,” Peng said. “I’m coming over to your ship. I want to personally witness the historic moment when Project Q comes to life.”
Fierro swallowed his irritation. “Of course. I look forward to finally meeting you in person.”
“We’ll make all the necessary preparations for your arrival,” Stokes said, enjoying Fierro’s discomfiture. “The helo deck is already cleared for you.”
“Thank you, Captain Stokes. We’ll be lifting off shortly.”
★
Aboard the Fuzhou
Peng turned to Captain Zhao, her face still a welter of confusion after the Oregon’s incredible performance. She’d never seen anything like it. Lasers on a cargo ship?
Peng read her mind, and shared her concerns.
“America may be a dying empire, but she still has a few dangerous tricks up her sleeve.”
“I wonder what kind of propulsion she has,” Zhao said, almost to herself.
“I’m sure our engineers will figure it out soon enough. Be sure to forward all your combat data to my office, Captain.”
“And to Admiral Qian as well.”
“Of course. Prepare your other helicopter. I want a squad of your best Marines armed and ready for battle to accompany me. I don’t trust these shameless parasites. Once the AGI comes online, I will seize control.”
Zhao turned toward the senior Marine commander standing nearby, and barked her orders as Peng checked his watch.
“There are only minutes to spare, Captain. I want you to close to five hundred yards, and prepare to train your deck guns on the bridge. We don’t want to sink her, but killing half the crew won’t keep us from towing her back to port if it comes to that.”
“I will carry out your orders to the letter. Anything else?”
“I’ll need a pistol and body armor just in case Fierro has a change of heart.”
“They will be waiting for you on the helicopter. Good luck, comrade.”
Peng nodded his thanks, and dashed for the Fuzhou’s deck hangar.