Sullivan Saga 3: Sullivan's Watch Read Online Free Page A

They’re the closest, just under two months away via hyperspace. But whatever happens in the other inhabited systems, we must protect Earth at all costs. The Vigilant is only one of three ships of its kind and the only one in this system. If any of the outposts on the moons of Jupiter or Saturn are attacked, we will not take the bait. We will stay here to protect Earth and remain at full alert. The Oberon and the Izumo will patrol the outer system. The Artemis and the Europa have been recalled to Earth, and they will remain here in orbit with us.”
    “Sir, are the Oberon and the Izumo enough to protect the outlying settlements?”
    Long leaned back in his chair and tented his fingers. “I think we were all stunned by the amount of devastation the alien ship was able to deliver to Mars within such a short period of time. I hate to say it, but I do not believe we can match them ship for ship. The Oberon and the Izumo have orders to draw any attacking ships away from the settlements. I don’t know what they’ll be able to do beyond that. I think our best chance is to keep our three largest ships here so we can outnumber them if they attack Earth. I think that now that they’ve tested our defenses, they won’t bother with stations and outposts of a few thousand people. They’ll go for the big prize.”
    “And what about those red creatures that attacked on the ground?”
    “I’ll be coordinating with General Adams; he’s the highest-ranking officer on the planet right now. But up here, we’ll see the ships before they have a chance to organize a ground attack. We’re the first line of defense, and if we can take care of the enemy ships quickly, we may keep everyone safe on the ground.”
    “Unless they just decide to attack from space, sir.”
    “I’ve thought about that, too. If their goal was simply to destroy us, why did they bother sending their ground forces in? They could have just intensified their fire on the Mars settlements to ensure that there were no survivors.”
    “Recon?”
    “Yes, but for what? Maybe to test our strength biologically? They wanted a look at us up close. They want to know how we’ll be in a fight, not just our ships, but on a man-to-man level. They want to see what kind of weapons we carry.”
    Heads nodded around the table.
    “I believe,” said Long, “that we’re facing the threat of invasion. They want our planet, and hopefully that means they don’t want it destroyed.” He rubbed his chin. “The only good news here is that they haven’t—as far as we know—seen this ship or the other defenses around Earth. We can hope they’ll base their assessment of our capabilities on the resistance they found at Mars, which was minimal. We can’t rely on that hope one hundred percent, but it’s something, and I’ll take it.”
    Long stood, and the others around the table followed suit. “I have a conference call with General Adams then with representatives of the Stellar Assembly. You all know what you need to do. Make sure your people are ready. Keep them calm; keep them alert but confident. Let’s reconvene at fourteen hundred hours. If there are any new developments, we’ll go over them then.”
     
    GENERAL WILLIAM ADAMS tapped on the screen in front of him and nodded as the face of Admiral Long appeared. “Hello, Ryan.”
    “Will. Did you get the footage from Mars?”
    “Yes. I’m concerned about that body armor they’re wearing. It can at least resist small-caliber solid-projectile fire. Hopefully, if the time comes, energy weapons will have better success. I’m pulling every energy weapon I can find out of the armories and having them issued.”
    “Good idea.”
    “We’ve also begun setting up strong points throughout the major cities. If the aliens do get on the ground, we can hopefully tie them up at these locations long enough for reinforcements to arrive. But those things on the videos… they move damned fast. And they don’t seem to act like an