Lost Fleet 6 - Victorious

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  JACK CAMPBELL

  “Black Jack, as a man out of time, is an excellent character, and this series is the best military SF I’ve read in some time.”

  —GeekDad

  Praise for

  THE LOST FLEET: RELENTLESS

  “This exhilarating, action-packed outer-space military thriller will remind the audience of the battles in Star Wars.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  THE LOST FLEET: VALIANT

  “Fast paced and enjoyable . . . Readers who enjoyed David Weber’s Honor Harrington books, Ian Douglas’s Space Marines [novels], or Walter Hunt’s Dark Wing series should also enjoy this series.”

  —SFRevu

  “The series is military SF, rigorously extrapolated in the classic tradition of hard SF. The laws of physics and the effects of relativity govern the battles and shape the action, while military virtues and ideals like honor and courage shape the conduct and personalities of the more admirable characters . . . Jack Campbell does a good job of fulfilling the requirements of both military SF and hard SF in The Lost Fleet: Valiant, and the novel will please fans of both forms.”

  —Sci Fi Weekly

  “Will grip the audience . . . Black Jack is a fascinating hero . . . Fans will appreciate the fourth Lost Fleet tale.”

  —Alternative Worlds

  “Refreshingly well written with no pretensions to be anything more than it is—lively adventure.”

  —Critical Mass

  “This wonderfully well-plotted story is strongly reminiscent of the old Hornblower novels, featuring exciting and believable battles with the fascinating addition of military tactics. The story brings back the true meaning of romance and captures the spirit of strong men and women facing unimaginable odds with courage and honor. It carries you along on the adventure, and you’re eager to go where it takes you.”

  —Romantic Times

  THE LOST FLEET: COURAGEOUS

  “Definitely recommend[ed] to people . . . [who] thoroughly enjoy military science fiction and probably some people who would just enjoy a good military story.”

  —BSCreview

  “It’s almost nonstop action and conflict . . . Jack Campbell does an excellent job with the space battles . . . It’s a hallmark of his talent in this arena that he can coordinate such large battles and make them both exciting and coherent, so that even someone without a military background of [his] own can follow and enjoy the action . . . The Lost Fleet is some of the best military science fiction on the shelves today, and Courageous doesn’t disappoint in the least. I’ll eagerly be awaiting the next installment in the series.”

  —SF Site

  THE LOST FLEET: FEARLESS

  “Straightforward, solidly written military space opera . . . It’s all good fun, and Campbell has actually given some thought to the problems of combat in space.”

  —Critical Mass

  “Another satisfying [Campbell] cocktail to slake the thirst of fans who like their space operas with a refreshing moral and intellectual chaser . . . The Lost Fleet deserves to find a home on your bookshelf.”

  —SF [http://Reviews.net] Reviews.net

  “A great and gripping read. It’s a fast-paced roller coaster of action and intrigue, with realistic characters and situations.”

  —TCM Reviews

  THE LOST FLEET: DAUNTLESS

  “A rousing adventure.”

  —William C. Dietz, author of At Empire’s Edge

  “Jack Campbell’s dazzling new series is military science fiction at its best. Not only does he tell a yarn of great adventure and action, but he also develops the characters with satisfying depth. I thoroughly enjoyed this rip-roaring read, and I can hardly wait for the next book.”

  —Catherine Asaro, Nebula Award-winning author of Diamond Star

  “Black Jack Geary is very real, very human, and so compelling he’ll leave you wanting more. Jack Campbell knows fleet actions, and it shows . . . [The Lost Fleet: Dauntless is] the best novel of its type that I’ve read.”

  —David Sherman, coauthor of the Starfist series

  “A slam-bang good read that kept me up at night . . . a solid, thoughtful, and exciting novel loaded with edge-of-your-seat combat.”

  —Elizabeth Moon, Nebula Award-winning author of Oath of Fealty

  “[Dauntless] should please many fans of old-fashioned hard SF.”

  —Sci Fi Weekly

  “Readers will admire and like [Geary], who believes in honor, teamwork, and civilized behavior . . . This is a hard military-science novel with space battles out of Star Wars. The battle scenes are so intricately described that readers will be able to visualize them . . . A fast-paced but intricate story line and fully developed charac ters turn this novel into a fun reading experience. Fans of David Weber, Elizabeth Moon, and Peter F. Hamilton will find The LostFleet: Dauntless thoroughly enjoyable.”

  —SFRevu

  “This is an amazing piece of military science fiction writing, with a protagonist who is remarkable and memorable . . . Campbell writes well. Period. The book flows well, with an excellent mix of action and philosophical debate . . . Overall, this is just a plain good read, with memorable characters and scenes, and a writing style that is aimed at people who like to think and ponder while enjoying the action. Bravo.”

  — [http://Rambles.net] Rambles.net

  “The Lost Fleet: Dauntless is well written, with a hero who’s all too human and battle weary. There’s much here that will remind readers of Battlestar Galactica . . . The battles are well-done, but it’s the characters who drive the story.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “[Campbell’s] space operas [seek] to add new layers to the conventions of military SF.”

  —SF [http://Reviews.net] Reviews.net

  “Lots of fun, and I devoured it in a day. I can’t wait for the sequel.”

  —The Weekly Press (Philadelphia)

  “Campbell’s book takes a sharp look at military discipline (and the lack thereof) in wartime . . . engaging and interesting.”

  —Romantic Times

  Ace Books by Jack Campbell

  THE LOST FLEET: DAUNTLESS

  THE LOST FLEET: FEARLESS

  THE LOST FLEET: COURAGEOUS

  THE LOST FLEET: VALIANT

  THE LOST FLEET: RELENTLESS

  THE LOST FLEET: VICTORIOUS

  THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

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turdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196,

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  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  THE LOST FLEET: VICTORIOUS

  An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author

  PRINTING HISTORY Ace mass-market edition / May 2010 Copyright © 2010 by John G. Hemry.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  eISBN : 978-1-101-18702-9

  ACE

  Ace Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. ACE and the “A” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  [http://us.penguingroup.com] http://us.penguingroup.com

  To Paul Parsons,

  a man of great enthusiasms,

  a great mind, and a great heart,

  all of which he shared in abundance

  with the many who will miss him.

  For S., as always.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I remain indebted to my agent, Joshua Bilmes, for his ever-inspired suggestions and assistance, and to my editor, Anne Sowards, for her support and editing. Thanks also to Catherine Asaro, Robert Chase, Chuck Gannon, J. G. (Huck) Huckenpohler, Simcha Kuritzky, Michael LaViolette, Aly Parsons, Bud Sparhawk, and Constance A. Warner for their suggestions, comments, and recommendations. Thanks also to Charles Petit for his suggestions about space engagements.

  THE ALLIANCE FLEET

  ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET JOHN GEARY,

  Commanding

  As reorganized at Varandal Star System prior to offensive actions against the Syndic home star system.

  Ship names in bold are those lost in action since Geary assumed command, with the name of the star system of their loss given afterward.

  THIRD FAST FLEET AUXILIARIES DIVISION

  Titan

  Tanuki

  Witch

  Jinn

  Alchemist

  Goblin (lost at Heradao)

  THIRTY HEAVY CRUISERS

  IN SIX DIVISIONS

  (Thirty-seven when Geary first assumed command,

  minus sixteen lost in battle, plus nine

  reinforcements at Varandal)

  First Heavy Cruiser Division

  Third Heavy Cruiser Division

  Fourth Heavy Cruiser Division

  Fifth Heavy Cruiser Division

  Eighth Heavy Cruiser Division

  Tenth Heavy Cruiser Division

  losses

  Invidious (lost at Kaliban)

  Cuirass (lost at Sutrah)

  Crest, War-Coat, Ram, and Citadel (lost at Vidha)

  Basinet and Sallet (lost at Lakota)

  Utap, Vambrace, and Fascine (lost at Lakota II)

  Armet and Gusoku (lost at Cavalos)

  Tortoise, Breech, Kurtani, Tarian, and Nodowa (lost at Heradao)

  Lorica (lost at Padronis)

  Kaidate and Quillion (lost at Varandal)

  FIFTY-TWO LIGHT CRUISERS

  IN TEN SQUADRONS

  (Sixty-two when Geary first assumed command,

  minus twenty-two lost in battle, plus twelve

  reinforcements at Varandal)

  First Light Cruiser Squadron

  Second Light Cruiser Squadron

  Third Light Cruiser Squadron

  Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron

  Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron

  Eighth Light Cruiser Squadron

  Ninth Light Cruiser Squadron

  Tenth Light Cruiser Squadron

  Eleventh Light Cruiser Squadron

  Fourteenth Light Cruiser Squadron

  losses

  Swift (lost at Kaliban)

  Pommel, Sling, Bolo, and Staff (lost at Vidha)

  Spur, Damascene, and Swept-Guard (lost at Lakota)

  Brigandine, Carte, and Ote (lost at Lakota II)

  Kote and Cercle (lost at Cavalos)

  Kissaki, Crest, Trunnion, Inquarto, Intagliata, and Septime

  (lost at Heradao)

  Estocade, Disarm, and Cavalier (lost at Varandal)

  ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DESTROYERS

  IN EIGHTEEN SQUADRONS

  (One hundred eighty-three when Geary first assumed

  command, minus forty-seven lost in battle,

  plus fourteen reinforcements at Varandal)

  First Destroyer Squadron

  Second Destroyer Squadron

  Third Destroyer Squadron

  Fourth Destroyer Squadron

  Sixth Destroyer Squadron

  Seventh Destroyer Squadron

  Ninth Destroyer Squadron

  Tenth Destroyer Squadron

  Twelfth Destroyer Squadron

  Fourteenth Destroyer Squadron

  Sixteenth Destroyer Squadron

  Seventeenth Destroyer Squadron

  Twentieth Destroyer Squadron

  Twenty-first Destroyer Squadron

  Twenty-third Destroyer Squadron

  Twenty-seventh Destroyer Squadron

  Twenty-eighth Destroyer Squadron

  Thirty-second Destroyer Squadron

  losses

  Dagger and Venom (lost at Kaliban)

  Anelace, Baselard, and Mace (lost at Sutrah)

  Celt, Akhu, Sickle, Leaf, Bolt, Sabot, Flint, Needle, Dart,

  Sting, Limpet, and Cudgel (lost at Vidha)

  Falcata (lost at Ilion)

  War-Hammer, Prasa, Talwar, and Xiphos (lost at Lakota)

  Armlet, Flanconade, Kukri, Hastarii, Petard,

  and Spiculum (lost at Lakota II)

  Flail, Ndziga, Tabar, Cestus, and Balta (lost at Cavalos)

  Barb, Yatagan, Lunge, Arabas, Kururi, Shail, Chamber,

  Bayonet, and Tomahawk (lost at Heradao)

  Serpentine, Basilisk, Bowie, Guidon, and Sten

  (lost at Varandal)

  SECOND FLEET MARINE FORCE

  Major General Carabali commanding (acting)

  1,420 Marines divided into detachments on battle cruisers and battleships.

  ONE

  HE had faced death many times and would cheerfully do so again rather than attend this briefing.

  “You’re not going to face a firing squad,” Captain Tanya Desjani reminded him. “You’re going to brief the Alliance grand council.”

  Captain John Geary turned his head slightly to look directly at Captain Desjani, commanding officer of Geary’s flagship, the battle cruiser Dauntless. “Remind me again of the difference.”

  “The politicians aren’t supposed to be carrying weapons, and they’re more afraid of you than you are of them. Relax. If they see you this tense, they’ll believe you really are planning a coup.” Desjani made a face. “You should know that they’re accompanied by Admiral Otropa.”

  “Admiral Otropa?” Geary had literally been out of the loop for a century, so his knowledge of current officers was limited to those in the ships of the fleet itself.

  Desjani nodded, somehow investing the simple gesture with disdain that obviously wasn’t aimed at Geary.

  “Military aide to the grand council. Don’t worry about the grand council trying to hand command of the fleet to him. No one would accept Otropa the Anvil as fleet commander in place of you.”