“Goddammit,” the XO bit out.
The front legs of the larger Kantos ship in front of them started to glow orange.
“They’re going to fire,” Eve said.
The captain straightened. “Evasive maneuvers.”
His crew raced to obey the orders, the Polaris veering suddenly to the right.
“The swarm ships will be on their way back.” Eve knew the Kantos loved to swarm like locusts.
“Release the tridents,” the captain said.
Good. Eve watched the small, triple-pronged space mines rain out the side of the ship. They’d be a dangerous minefield for the Kantos swarm.
The main Kantos ship swung around.
“They’re locking weapons,” someone shouted.
Eve fought the need to shout out orders and offer the captain advice. Last time she’d done that, she’d ended up in shackles.
The blast hit the Polaris, the shields lighting up from the impact. The ship shuddered.
“Shields holding, but depleting,” another crew member called out.
“Sub-Captain Traynor?” The captain’s dark gaze met hers.
Something loosened in her chest. “It’s a raider-class cruiser, Captain. You’re smaller and more maneuverable. You need to circle around it, spray it with laser fire. Its weak spots are on the sides. Sustained laser fire will eventually tear it open. You also need to avoid the legs.”
“Fly circles around it?” a young man at a console said. “That’s crazy.”
Eve eyed the lead pilot. “You up for this?”
The man swallowed. “I don’t think I can…”
“Sure you can, if you want us to survive this.”
“Walker, do it,” the captain barked.
The pilot pulled in a breath and the Polaris surged forward. They rounded the Kantos ship. Up close, the bronze-brown hull looked just like the carapace of an insect. One of the legs swung up, but Walker had quick reflexes.
“Fire,” Eve said.
The weapons officer started firing. Laser fire hit the Kantos ship in a pretty row of orange.
“Keep going,” Eve urged.
They circled the ship, firing non-stop.
Eve crossed her arms over her chest. Everything in her was still, but alive, filled with energy. She’d always known she was born to stand on the bridge of a starship.
“More,” she urged. “Keep firing.”
“Swarm ships incoming,” a crew member yelled.
“Hold,” Eve said calmly. “Trust the mines.” She eyed the perspiring weapons officer. “What’s your name, Lieutenant?”
“Law, ma’am. Lieutenant Miriam Law.”
“You’re doing fine, Law. Ignore the swarm ships and keep firing on the cruiser.”
The swarm ships rushed closer, then hit the field of mines. Eve saw the explosions, like brightly colored pops of fireworks.
The lasers kept cutting into the hull of the larger Kantos ship. She watched the ship’s engines fire. They were going to try and make a run for it.
“Bring us around, Walker. Fire everything you have, Law.”
They swung around to face the side of the Kantos ship straight on. The laser ripped into the hull.
There was a blinding flash of light, and startled exclamations filled the bridge. She squinted until the light faded away.
On the screen, the Kantos ship broke up into pieces.
Captain Chen released a breath. “Thank you, Sub-Captain.”
Eve inclined her head. She glanced at the silent crew. “Good flying, Walker. And excellent shooting, Law.”
But she looked back at the screen, at the debris hanging in space and the last of the swarm ships retreating.
They’d keep coming. No matter what. It was ingrained in the Kantos to destroy.
They had to be stopped.
Eon Warriors
Touch of Eon
Heart of Eon
Kiss of Eon
Mark of Eon
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Preview: Gladiator
Fighting for love, honor, and freedom on the galaxy's lawless outer rim...
When Earth space marine Harper Adams finds herself abducted by alien slavers off a space station, her life turns into a battle for survival. Dumped into an arena on a desert planet on the outer rim, she finds herself face to face with a big, tattooed alien gladiator...the champion of the Kor Magna Arena.
A former prince abandoned to the arena as a teen, Raiden Tiago has long ago earned his freedom. Now he rules the arena, but he doesn't fight for the glory, but instead for his own dark purpose--revenge against the Thraxian aliens who destroyed his planet. Then his existence is rocked by one small, fierce female fighter from an unknown planet called Earth.
Harper is determined to find a way home, but when she spots her best friend in the arena--a slave of the evil Thraxian aliens--she'll do anything to save her friend...even join forces with the tough alpha male who sets her body on fire. But as Harper and Raiden step foot onto the blood-soaked sands of the arena, Harper worries that Raiden has his own dangerous agenda...
Galactic Gladiators
Gladiator
Warrior
Hero
Protector
Champion
Barbarian
Beast
Rogue
Guardian
Cyborg
Imperator
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Also by Anna Hackett
Team 52
Mission: Her Protection
Mission: Her Rescue
Mission: Her Security
Mission: Her Defense
Mission: Her Safety
Mission: Her Freedom
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Treasure Hunter Security
Undiscovered
Uncharted
Unexplored
Unfathomed
Untraveled
Unmapped
Unidentified
Undetected
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Edge of Eon
Touch of Eon
Heart of Eon
Kiss of Eon
Mark of Eon
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Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone
Sentinel
Defender
Centurion
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Galactic Gladiators
Gladiator
Warrior
Hero
Protector
Champion
Barbarian
Beast
Rogue
Guardian
Cyborg
Imperator
Hunter
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Hell Squad
Marcus
Cruz
Gabe
Reed
Roth
Noah
Shaw
Holmes
Niko
Finn
Theron
Hemi
Ash
Levi
Manu
Griff
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The Anomaly Series
Time Thief
Mind Raider
Soul Stealer
Salvation
Anomaly Series Box Set
The Phoenix Adventures
Among Galactic Ruins
At Star’s End
In the Devil’s Nebula
On a Rogue Planet
Beneath a Trojan Moon
Beyond Galaxy’s Edge
On a Cyborg Planet
Return to Dark Earth
On a Barbarian World
Lost in Barbarian Space
Through Uncharted Space
Crashed on an Ice World
Perma Series
Winter Fusion
A Galactic
Holiday
Warriors of the Wind
Tempest
Storm & Seduction
Fury & Darkness
Standalone Titles
Savage Dragon
Hunter’s Surrender
One Night with the Wolf
For more information visit AnnaHackettBooks.com
About the Author
I’m a USA Today bestselling author and I’m passionate about action romance. I love stories that combine the thrill of falling in love with the excitement of action, danger and adventure. I’m a sucker for that moment when the team is walking in slow motion, shoulder-to-shoulder heading off into battle. I write about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.
My books are mixture of action, adventure and sexy romance and they’re recommended for anyone who enjoys fast-paced stories where the boy wins the girl at the end (or sometimes the girl wins the boy!)
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